Redhawks split OVC openers in volleyball

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team split two matches over the weekend as the Redhawks opened their Ohio Valley Conference schedule on the road.

Southeast staged a dramatic rally Friday at Tennessee Tech, winning in five sets after dropping the opening two sets. Scores were 18-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 17-15.

Jacksonville State then handed the Redhawks a 28-26, 25-23, 25-21 defeat Saturday.

Southeast, 4-7 overall, got a career performance from junior Kelly Benacka to win Friday's match.

Benacka, making her first collegiate start at setter for injured senior Sarah Barth, recorded her first career double-double with 56 assists and 21 digs. Her previous high assist total was four.

Senior Karleigh DeLong had her third double-double of the season with a season-high 21 kills and 19 digs.

Senior Molly Davis recorded her 30th straight double-figure match in digs with 32.

Amanda Rickhoff, another senior, had 12 digs. Freshman Karlee Lursen added eight kills and eight digs.

Against Jacksonville State, nobody reached double figures in kills for Southeast. Emily Hughes led the way with nine and DeLong added eight.

Benacka had another double-double with 24 assists and 14 digs. Davis extended her string of double-digit digs matches to 31 as she recorded 27 digs.

Southeast plays another OVC road match Tuesday night at Tennessee-Martin.