Seniors star in Otahkians' fifth straight league win

On senior night for Southeast Missouri State University volleyball Friday, it was fitting that the Otahkians' three seniors played starring roles in the team's fifth straight victory.

Emily Scannell, Sarah Frost and Suzanne Gundlach all sparkled as Southeast won a hard-fought, five-game match from Eastern Kentucky, prevailing 26-30, 30-20, 31-29, 26-30, 15-11 in front of nearly 300 fans at Houck Field House.

The Otahkians (10-6, 9-4 Ohio Valley Conference) moved into a second-place tie with Eastern Kentucky (18-10, 9-4).

"It's great to win on senior night," Frost said. "There are so many good memories."

Frost powered home 24 kills to lead the Otahkians' offense. Gundlach had 17 kills and 23 digs. Scannell, second in career assists at Southeast, had 59 and moved into second place all-time in the OVC. She also had eight kills and 16 digs.

"Our teammates were all behind us," Gundlach said. "They knew how much this match meant to us."

Said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon, "These three seniors have meant so much to us. It's an emotional night when you have this kind of group."

The seniors got plenty of help. Freshmen Jamie Baumstark and Jessica Wilfong had 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Baumstark also had 16 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Jill Miller came up with 28 digs.

For EKU, Liz Guard had 25 kills.

"Eastern Kentucky is very good," Gannon said. "These were two evenly matched teams."

Southeast plays its final home match tonight when first-place Morehead State (19-8, 12-1) visits Houck at 7 p.m. The Eagles have clinched at least a tie for the OVC regular-season title.

Morehead State was in second place prior to Friday's announcement that Murray State has forfeited six OVC wins for using an ineligible player. Those forfeits dropped the Racers from a first-place 12-1 to a sixth-place 6-7 prior to Friday's action.

While the chances of Southeast catching Morehead are slim, the Otahkians -- who have three matches left -- simply want to keep playing well.

"We just want to keep up our streak," Gundlach said.