Redhawks stay alive in five-set thriller

~ Southeast upset Murray State to reach the OVC semifinals.

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Despite losing both matches against Murray State during the regular season, Southeast Missouri State volleyball coach Renata Nowacki was confident the Redhawks could turn the tables on the Racers on Thursday afternoon.

Nowacki was right. Southeast, seeded last for the six-team Ohio Valley Conference tournament, upset the third-seeded Racers in a first-round, five-game thriller.

The Redhawks rallied for a 31-29, 21-30, 25-30, 30-20, 15-13 victory. Southeast trailed 13-10 in the decisive fifth game but scored the final five points.

Southeast (15-17) advances to today's semifinals, where the Redhawks will face second-seeded Tennessee State at 3:30 p.m.

Senior Jessica Koeper, a first-team all-OVC selection for the second straight year, led the Redhawks with 24 kills. The former Jackson High School standout added 14 digs. Freshman Karleigh DeLong had 12 kills and 21 digs, while senior setter Jamie Baumstark had 49 assists and 23 digs.

Junior Brenna Schlader recorded nine kills and seven blocks, junior Brittany Hastings added nine kills, and freshmen defensive specialist Molly Davis contributed 26 digs.

Murray State senior Holly Jansen, a former Leopold High School star, led the Racers (19-8) with 15 kills