SE SPIKERS FALL TO LOYALA

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The Southeast Missouri State University volleyball team opened play Friday in the Colorado State Tournament by losing to one of the nation's top squads.

Loyola Marymount, ranked 25th in the country, disposed of the Otahkians 15-8, 15-5, 15-10. Loyola improved to 2-0 while Southeast fell to 0-2.

Lea Beckmeyer paced Southeast with 16 kills and nine digs. Krista Haukap added 10 kills.

Sarah McFarland pounded home 25 kills for Loyola.

Despite the setback, Southeast coach Cindy Gannon felt her team played considerably better than it had during Wednesday's season-opening loss to Arkansas State.

"We were more aggressive and we passed much better," she said. "We knew how brutal the teams in this tournament were going to be but it's only going to make us better."

Southeast faces host Colorado State, ranked 24th, today.