Redhawks volleyball opens OVC play today

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team is not entering its Ohio Valley Conference schedule in the best shape possible.

Five players — including two all-OVC performers — have been suffering from injuries and remain questionable for the start of league play.

Southeast (2-4) hosts Eastern Kentucky (1-8) at 7 p.m. today, with Morehead State (9-2) visiting Houck Field House for a 2 p.m. Saturday match.

"We're hoping we get [the injured players] back," Southeast coach Renata Nowacki said.

Among the ailing have been 2007 all-OVC first-team hitter Karleigh DeLong and Aubrey Dondlinger, like DeLong a preseason all-OVC hitter.

The shorthanded Redhawks picked up the slack during the SIU tournament over the weekend as they won two of three matches to place second behind the Salukis.

"They showed an extreme amount of heart," Nowacki said.

Still, Nowacki would rather not have to play any OVC matches without her full roster.

"It's not the way to go into conference," she said.

While Eastern Kentucky has struggled this year, preseason favorite Morehead State has the best record among OVC squads.

Southeast, Morehead State and Jacksonville State finished in a three-way tie for last year's OVC regular-season title.

The Redhawks conclude a three-match homestand Tuesday night against Tennessee-Martin.

Soccer hits road

The Southeast soccer team, still looking for its first win — and first goal — of the season, faces a tough opponent today with a 4 p.m. match at Northern Illinois.

Southeast is 0-3, while the Huskies are 3-0-3 for their best start since 2004. Northern Illinois was 10-5-5 last year.

Southeast's offense should receive a boost from the return of senior standout Casey Kraft, who missed the first three games with an injury. Kraft led the Redhawks in scoring during exhibition play.

Runner honored

Southeast senior Juli Koenegstein has been named the OVC co-female runner of the week for cross country.

Koenegstein, a two-time all-OVC performer, placed eighth in a field of 70 runners during last week's Eastern Illinois Invitational.