Redhawks volleyball to make home debut

Finally, after 13 matches, Southeast Missouri State's volleyball team is going to play at home.

The Redhawks, off to a 2-0 Ohio Valley Conference start, face defending OVC champion Eastern Kentucky at 7 tonight at Houck Field House.

Southeast, 5-8 overall, also has a conference home match Saturday, against Morehead State at 2 p.m.

"It seems like it's been forever," Southeast first-year coach Renata Nowacki said. "I've gotten e-mails from people, saying is this really happening?

"But we're very excited to finally be playing at home."

Nowacki was concerned that Southeast's nonconference schedule might hurt the Redhawks' confidence when they entered league play. But the Redhawks showed no ill effects last weekend as they swept Tennessee-Martin and beat Murray State in four games.

Eastern Kentucky is 10-4 overall and also 2-0 in OVC play. They tied for the league's regular-season title last year, dropping just one conference match, then won the OVC Tournament.

"I'm guessing this is going to be our toughest match this season in conference," Nowacki said.

Morehead State, Saturday's opponent, is 5-11 overall and 1-1 in the league.

"It's a big weekend for us," Nowacki said.

Soccer also at home

The Southeast women's soccer team also is gearing up for two OVC home matches this weekend, against Austin Peay at 7 tonight and Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Redhawks, 5-2-1 overall, battled to a scoreless tie with Eastern Illinois in their OVC opener at Houck Stadium last Friday.

Southeast is coming off Sunday's 1-0, double-overtime win over nonleague opponent Memphis.

Austin Peay (5-4, 2-0) and Tennessee Tech (5-6, 2-0) both won their first two OVC matches. Austin Peay, coached by former Southeast assistant Kelly Guth, is off to its best conference start since beginning its program in 2002.

Southeast has been paced by its defense, led by goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering, who on Tuesday was named OVC defensive player of the week for the second time this year. Pickering has five shutouts and an 0.36 goals against average.

"She has been outstanding," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "She is the ideal keeper because she makes all the regular stops and usually comes up with one or two big saves every game. She has been a difference maker for us."

Runner of the week

Southeast senior Jen Caywood has been named the OVC cross country runner of the week after her 13th-place finish during last weekend's Greater Louisville Classic. Caywood and her Southeast teammates return to action Saturday in the Lakefront Invitational in Chicago. Loyola (Ill.) University is hosting the meet.