Redhawks bounce back, beat Morehead

Southeast bounced back from a close loss Friday to sweep the Eagles.

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team played well Friday night but could not pull off an upset of Eastern Kentucky in its Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Saturday afternoon, the Redhawks' performance was not quite as strong -- but the result was much more satisfactory.

The Redhawks, playing just their second home match of the season, eased past Morehead State 30-22, 30-25, 30-26 at Houck Field House.

Southeast opened its home schedule the previous night by playing defending OVC champion Eastern Kentucky tough before falling in three tight games.

"We were disappointed we lost last night, and I think we had a little letdown today," Southeast junior outside hitter Jessica Koeper said. "But we shook it off and came out with a win."

The Redhawks improved to 6-9 overall and 3-1 in OVC play, while dropping the Eagles to 5-13 and 1-3.

"We played well yesterday. We're a darn good team; we just have to work on finishing," Southeast coach Renata Nowacki said.

Nowacki admitted to some lingering disappointment from not being able to upend Eastern Kentucky, but she added, "They realize if we play that way against a number of teams in the conference, we can do really well."

Southeast struggled at times with Morehead State in all three games before taking control.

In the first game, the Redhawks led just 21-20 before reeling off nine of the final 11 points.

The second game saw Southeast fall behind 16-10, and the Redhawks still trailed 21-20 before they scored 10 of the final 14 points.

Game 3 was tied 14-14 before the Redhawks assumed command.

"We were just slow today, but we knew we had to pick it up or Morehead State could beat us," Nowacki said. "It's good to get the win."

Koeper, a Jackson High School graduate coming off a 21-kill performance against Eastern Kentucky, led the Redhawks' attack Saturday with 12 kills.

Senior outside hitter Jill Miller had nine kills and 15 digs, while senior defensive specialist Lauren Scannell had a match-high 18 digs. Junior setter Jamie Baumstark recorded 22 assists, eight digs, six kills and two service aces.

Morehead State's Ashley Doscher led all players with 21 kills, and she added 17 digs.

Southeast returns to action Tuesday at Eastern Illinois, while the Redhawks' next home match will be Oct.14 against Murray State.

Noteworthy

• Saturday's match kicked off the Redhawks' annual Dig for Life program that raises money to help support area breast cancer education, prevention and detection.

During Southeast's six October home matches, pledges are taken for each dig, or through flat donations. Dig for Life has raised about $35,000 since it began in 2000.

For information on the program or to make a pledge, call 331-5994.