Southeast Missouri State volleyball team turns back EIU

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team continued its resurgent season under first-year coach Julie Folliard Tuesday night.

The Redhawks surpassed their 2010 Ohio Valley Conference win total while matching their overall victory count from last season by beating visiting Eastern Illinois 25-9, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15.

The Redhawks, who also swept EIU on Sept. 16 in Charleston, Ill., improved to 5-2 in OVC play and 7-11 overall. They are second in the 11-team league after winning just four conference matches a year ago.

"It's so exciting," said outside hitter Paige Dossey, one of only two Southeast seniors. "It feels so good to get wins under our belt, to come back from such a rough year."

Southeast finished ninth in the OVC a year ago and was predicted to occupy that spot again in the preseason coaches poll.

"We used it as fire, to get us going," Dossey said about the poll. "A lot of people underestimated us."

Middle blocker Holly Reynolds, Southeast's other senior, said Folliard has helped improve the program with her positive attitude and the fast-paced offense.

"She's incredible. Words can't describe how awesome she is," Reynolds said.

Junior outside hitter Karlee Lursen said she isn't surprised by how much improvement the Redhawks have made.

"We always knew we were capable. It was just a matter of putting it all together," Lursen said.

Folliard is wary of getting too carried away because Southeast has played only seven of its 20 OVC matches.

"I'm very excited. We're proud of the progress we're making," Folliard said. "I'm very pleased with the team. It's been a group effort, not just one player."

Lursen and sophomore middle blocker Emily Coon led Southeast's offense with 14 kills apiece. Coon's .619 attack percentage is the highest by a Southeast player this season. Reynolds had 10 kills to match her career high.

Dossey led the defense with 16 digs. Lursen followed with 11. Junior libero Samantha Lowman and sophomore setter Julie Shives contributed 10 digs apiece.

Shives dished out 45 assists. Lursen put down four service aces, the most by a Southeast player this year.

"I thought we played really well," Lursen said.

After Southeast rolled in the first two games, EIU (4-14, 2-6) rallied from a 15-10 third-game deficit to stay alive. The Redhawks scored nine of the final 10 points in Game 4 to close out the match.

"We came out fighting," said Folliard, whose squad's .268 attack percentage was its second-highest of the season. "I thought we played well overall."

The Redhawks, who have won four of their last five matches, remained perfect in four home contests during what has been a road-dominated schedule so far.

"We just want to keep getting these wins at home," Reynolds said.

Southeast heads back to the road for two OVC matches, against Austin Peay on Friday and Tennessee State on Saturday.