SE, TUBA BLOW AWAY 'HAWKS

After Southeast Missouri State University's commanding 15-9, 15-5, 15-3 win against Tennessee-Martin, Southeast scorekeepers asked coach Cindy Gannon whom they should announce as player of the game.

"Tuba," she announced, sparing no time mulling things over.

It's not that Tuba Meto, last year's Ohio Valley Conference volleyball player of the year, had an outstanding match -- her 41 assists were only half what she had in a match last year.

It's the fact that Meto could be named player of the game nearly every match that prompted Gannon to say that the senior journalism major from Istanbul, Turkey, is probably the best player in Southeast history.

"I'd have to put her right on top of the list," said Gannon, in her ninth year as Southeast's head coach. "We've had some outstanding players here at Southeast, but Tuba's probably statistically right up there with the best. She's fantastic."

Meto and Nicole Gonzalez played their final regular season match at Houck Field House before 562 Tuesday night. The Otahkians will travel to Eastern Kentucky on Friday and Morehead State on Saturday before playing host to the OVC Tournament Nov. 21-23.

Meto, a setter, had 41 of Southeast's 44 assists, six kills -- and even picked up one of the Otahkians' two solo blocks. But, at least according to the humble Meto, she's not the only Otahkian who can do a number of things well.

"You shouldn't ask me if I am the best or not; but yes, I have played well in my four seasons here," Meto said. "It's not only me. Everybody does well in everything, so it's not special."

If Southeast wins its two remaining matches, it will gain its fifth successive OVC regular season championship and have the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

Southeast had not played a home match since Oct. 14, six straight away from Cape Girardeau.

"We came out tonight and we played well; I hoped we would do this if for nothing else for the seniors," Gannon said. "It seems like we've been on the road forever. But we've made the best of a bad situation. Overall we've shown a lot of character and really played well."

Southeast had big leads early in each of the games. The Otahkians led 7-1 in the first game, 9-1 in the second and 8-0 in the third.

Sophomore Jackie Derwort led Southeast with 14 kills and 20 digs. Freshman Krista Haukap and sophomore Angie Aschoff each had nine kills. Aschoff added five service aces and 14 digs.

Jodie Hempen led the Skyhawks (12-18, 4-14 OVC) with 15 kills and 15 digs.