Redhawks win fifth straight match

~ Southeast swept Tennessee State to move to 8-4 in the OVC.

After being swept at Murray State on Oct. 2, Southeast Missouri State was muddling along with an 8-10 record, including a 4-4 Ohio Valley Conference mark.

But look at the Redhawks now.

By sweeping visiting Tennessee State on Thursday night, by scores of 30-18, 30-25, 30-21, Southeast pushed its winning streak to a season-high five straight matches.

Southeast is now 13-10, including 8-4 in the OVC. The Redhawks remained fifth in the 11-team league, but they are just one-half game out of third place and only 1 1/2 games from first.

Southeast's Sirma Ozenir passed the ball to a teammate during the second game of their match Thursday.

"We just made up our minds to play," said Southeast coach Renata Nowacki, when asked what has changed within her squad. "The last five matches ... they just made their minds up to play from start to finish."

Sophomore outside hitter Karleigh DeLong, Southeast's leader in kills this season, said the Redhawks are performing now like they knew they could all along.

"Everybody is just stepping up and things are finally clicking," DeLong said. "We knew it was just a matter of time before it all came together.

"It's very exciting."

Junior outside hitter Aubrey Dondlinger, right behind DeLong for the team lead in kills, said Saturday's win at defending OVC champion Jacksonville State gave Southeast a major shot in the arm.

"We were in shock after we beat them," Dondlinger said. "That gave us a lot of confidence."

The confidence carried over to Thursday night as the Redhawks remained hot, avenging a five-game loss at Tennessee State on Sept. 14.

Tennessee State (11-11, 9-4) is one of the teams Southeast is chasing as the Tigers are tied for third place in the conference.

"They're a nice team, big and athletic," Nowacki said. "To beat them in three is a huge credit to our team."

Dondlinger led the Redhawks with 14 kills, followed by DeLong with 12 and freshman Claire Keaton with 10.

Sophomore libero Molly Davis, who leads Southeast in digs, contributed 15 against the Tigers.

Sophomore setter Sarah Barth had a double-double with 39 assists and 12 digs.

"To beat them like we did, I'm so excited," said Dondlinger, who will celebrate her 20th birthday today. "We're learning how to eliminate our errors."

In the earlier meeting with Tennessee State, Southeast had a lowly attack percentage of .082, with 63 kills and 47 errors. Thursday's rematch saw the Redhawks hit a solid .283, with 53 kills and only 17 errors.

Southeast's defense was also stellar as the Tigers hit .085.

"We're playing much better as a team," Dondlinger said.

The Redhawks had a surprisingly easy time of things, leading from start to finish in the first and third games and trailing only briefly early in the second game.

Southeast will try to keep its streak going tonight when the Redhawks continue their three-match homestand against Tennessee Tech.