Redhawks will be on exhibition

The Southeast volleyball and soccer teams will have exhibition matches against alumni this weekend.

Southeast Missouri State volleyball and soccer fans will have a unique opportunity to see some of the former stars from both programs in action Saturday.

Both teams will have exhibition games against alumni squads, volleyball at 10:30 a.m. at Houck Field House and soccer at 7:30 p.m. at Houck Stadium.

In addition, the soccer squad will have a home exhibition match tonight when the J.B. Marine Soccer Club from St. Louis visits Houck Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Busy soccer weekend

Coming off a 3-2 penalty-kick victory over the visiting St. Louis Soccer Club last Saturday in its exhibition opener, Southeast soccer coach Heather Nelson is anxious to see her team play twice more this weekend.

"We're looking forward to both games," Nelson said. "I think J.B. Marine will be a good test for us, and it should be fun for our fans to see some of our former players on the field."

The alumni team will be led by one of Nelson's assistant coaches, former all-Ohio Valley Conference goalkeeper Beth Guccione, who played on Southeast's first women's soccer team in 1999 and completed her eligibility in 2001. She holds many of the school's career goalkeeping records.

Among other ex-Southeast players scheduled to participate, most of them having earned all-OVC honors, are Jen Cross (2001 through 2004), Michelle Frossard (2001 through 2004), Marla Gianino (2001 through 2004), Laura Hauskins (2001 through 2004), Diana Poovey (2001 through 2004), Heather Reding (2001 through 2004), Jackson High School product Julie Wunderlich (2000 through 2003), Valerie Henderson (2000 through 2003), Carolyn Behnen (2000 though 2001) and Jenny Hamilton (1999 through 2002)

Nelson saw plenty of potential from her Redhawks last Saturday and hopes for continued progress this weekend, as they prepare for their season opener Aug. 26 against Gardner-Webb in the Austin Peay Tournament.

"I thought our new offensive system looked promising in the first exhibition match," Nelson said. "I'm happy with the progress we are making, and the two matches this weekend will be important as we continue to try different combinations of players to come up with our strongest lineup.

"I continue to be excited about the potential of this club."

Volleyball set for tuneup

First-year Southeast volleyball coach Renata Nowacki is looking forward to seeing her team under match conditions for the first time -- and she's excited about having some of the program's past stars on the court.

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said Nowacki, formerly a Southeast assistant who was promoted when Cindy Gannon moved into a full-time administrative role at the university.

Nowacki said she hopes to make the alumni match -- which serves as Southeast's only exhibition -- an annual event.

"We just want to introduce the alumni to the new coaching staff, the team, playing as Redhawks for the first time," she said. "It's just a chance for the former players to get involved. We'll have a barbecue afterward for the alumni, players and parents. It should be a good day."

Ex-Southeast players slated to participate, many of them former all-OVC picks, are Emily Scannell (2000 through 2003), Suzanne Gundlach (2000 through 2003), Andrea Koeper (2003), Emily Wahlman (1999 through 2002), Lea Beckemeyer (1998 through 2000), Amy (Henken) Sheehan (1998 and 1999), Jackie (Derwort) Haines (1996 through 1999), Kimberly (Aggert) Smith (1995 through 1998), Erin (Willrich) Hoffman (1993 through 1996) and Jennifer Hener (1991 through 1994).

"It will be great for our fans to see them, and hopefully we'll have a good crowd," Nowacki said. "And it's going to be good for our team. We need a match."

Nowacki said she has been pleased with practice so far, as the Redhawks prepare for their Aug. 27 season opener at the Clarion Hotel Missouri State Invitational in Springfield, Mo. Southeast will have three matches in the two-day tournament.

"Practice is going very good," she said. "We have an awesome group. They're really working hard."