OTAHKS SWEEP ASIDE ANOTHER OVC OPPONENT

Right now, there appears to be no slowing down Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team.

The Otahkians turned what was expected to be a tough match into another routine victory as they rolled past Tennessee Tech 15-4, 15-5, 15-5 in front of more than 450 fans at Houck Field House Saturday night.

Southeast, recording its 10th straight win, improved to 17-5 overall and 9-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Otahkians are in first place in the OVC.

Tech fell to 10-9 overall, 8-4 in the league.

"We're playing real focused right now. We're just playing very well," said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon. "I expected a tough match but Tennessee Tech lost a heartbreaker in five (games) at Eastern Illinois last night and I thought they were a little flat.

"I know we'll have a much more difficult time when we play them at their place."

The Otahkians, who have won 17 of their last 18 matches, hit an impressive .441 for the contest. Leah Beckemeyer posted a team-high 17 kills to lead the offense. Krista Haukap added 12 kills and Angie Aschoff contributed nine.

Also contributing to the balanced offense were Amy Henken with seven kills and Rachelle Knapp and Emily Johnson with six each.

Henken dished out 43 assists and recorded 13 digs. Beckemeyer and Johnson both had nine digs. Haukap led the way in service aces with four while Knapp had five block assists.

"We changed defenses early and they could never pick up on it," said Gannon. "Our offense just stepped up."

Gannon continues to be pleased with the play of Johnson, a freshman who moved into the starting lineup when Jackie Derwort suffered a knee injury several matches ago.

"Emily is really playing well. She has been a very pleasant surprise at this point," Gannon said.