Redhawks rebound with sweep

What a difference a day made for the Southeast Missouri State volleyball team.

After being swept at home by Jacksonville State on Thursday, the Redhawks turned the tables by sweeping visiting Samford in Friday night's regular-season finale.

The Redhawks prevailed 30-12, 30-26, 32-30 at Houck Field House to even their record at 15-15 and improve their Ohio Valley Conference mark to 11-5.

"We played well at all positions," said Southeast coach Renata Nowacki, whose squad will be the fifth seed when the six-team OVC tournament begins Friday in Charleston, Ill. "It was great to bounce back like that."

Perhaps most pleasing to Nowacki was the Redhawks' .323 attack percentage, after they hit just .144 against Jacksonville State.

Southeast's three players who reached double figures in kills all hit at least .364.

"That's pretty impressive," Nowacki said.

Junior Jessica Koeper led the way with 15 kills as she hit .364.

Senior Jill Miller had a double-double with 11 kills and 15 digs. She hit .417.

Sophomore Brittany Hastings added 10 kills and hit .444.

Freshman Katrina Niemeyer recorded seven blocks, while junior setter Jamie Baumstark dished out 31 assists.

"Everybody played well," Nowacki said.

The coach was especially pleased that Southeast's two seniors -- Miller and Lauren Scannell -- were able to win their final home match.

Miller has been a key contributor all four seasons at Southeast, while Scannell has been the Redhawks' defensive leader the past two years after transferring in from junior college.

"It's been a great four years, and it's very nice to win the last home match," Miller said. "And this is great for us going into the {OVC} tournament. We needed a match like this."

Scannell, who recently broke Southeast's Division I record for digs in a season, failed to reach double figures in digs for the first time in 34 matches as she finished with nine.

"I've had a great time these last two years," Scannell said. "It's good to win tonight, and to go into the tournament on a good note."

Sara Sears led Samford (9-20, 5-10) with 12 kills.