Scannell, Otahks aim for a big home finish

Cindy Gannon has worked with numerous standout setters during her 15 years as Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball coach -- and she rates Emily Scannell among the best.

"We've been fortunate to have had some great setters. I consider that a strength of our program," Gannon said. "Emily ranks right up there with all of them. She's had a fantastic career."

Scannell, a senior, will play the final home matches of her career this weekend when the surging Otahkians face Eastern Kentucky tonight and Morehead State on Saturday. Both Ohio Valley Conference contests begin at 7 p.m. at Houck Field House.

"The last four years have gone so quickly, it seems like they've just flown by," Scannell said. "It's hard to believe these are the last home matches."

Scannell, from Belleville, Ill., has 5,047 career assists, which places her second on Southeast's all-time list and puts her three short of second all-time in the OVC.

"The records are not a big deal right now, but later I think I will appreciate it more," she said.

Scannell, a four-year starter, won the OVC's rookie of the year award as a freshman, helping the Otahkians capture their eighth OVC title and win their first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament match.

"That year is definitely something I'll never forget," Scannell said. "It was just amazing I got to start out with such a fantastic season, such an awesome group of players. It was just a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Since that time, the Otahkians have not win another OVC title and this year are in danger of having their first losing season since 1980.

Still, Scannell -- an elementary education major who would like to some day coach -- wouldn't trade her Southeast experience for anything.

"We've had our ups and downs, but it's been a great career,"she said. "And we've really been playing well, so anything can happen once we get to the conference tournament."

Scannell, all-OVC first team last year after making the second team in 2001, is one of three seniors -- all starters -- who will close out their home careers this weekend, the others being Suzanne Gundlach and Sarah Frost.

The Otahkians (9-16, 8-4) will try to add to a late-season roll of four straight wins that has moved them into a third-place conference tie with Eastern Kentucky (17-10, 8-4).

Second-place Morehead State (17-9, 10-2) is also within striking distance for the Otahkians, although with four matches remaining it will be virtually impossible to catch first-place Murray State, which has just one conference loss.

Southeast also needs to finish strong to secure a spot in the six-team conference tournament, because third through sixth place is separated by just one game.

"We could still finish second if things went right," Gannon said, "but the main thing is we just want to keep playing well and make sure we get into the conference tournament."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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