Redhawks win opener of OVC tournament

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team sent the host squad tumbling from the Ohio Valley Conference tournament with a five-game victory on Friday.

The fifth-seeded Redhawks defeated fourth-seeded Eastern Illinois 30-27, 25-30, 30-21, 24-30, 15-8 in a first-round match of the six-team event.

Southeast (16-15) had two players reach double figures in kills, led by Jill Miller with a match-high 26. She also had 15 digs.

Jessica Koeper added 20 kills and a career-high 28 digs to record the first 20-20 match of her career.

Lauren Scannell led the Redhawks with 31 digs.

Jamie Baumstark had 58 assists, 14 digs, eight kills and two service aces.

Brenna Schlader added nine kills and seven blocks, while Sirma Ozenir recorded 10 digs.

Eastern Illinois (16-9) was led by Kara Sorenson and Kera Griffin with 18 kills each.

The Redhawks advance to today's 1:30 p.m. semifinal match against top-seeded Eastern Kentucky. The winner earns a spot in Sunday's noon championship match that will be televised nationally by ESPNU.