Southeast roundup: Redhawks capture volleyball tourney title

The Southeast volleyball team opened its season in impressive fashion over the weekend by winning the Bradley tournament in Peoria, Ill.

Southeast bounced back from a loss to South Carolina-Upstate in Friday's tournament opener to beat Western Illinois and host Bradley on Saturday.

In Saturday night's final match that gave the Redhawks the title, they rallied past Bradley 15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17.

Senior Claire Keaton was named tournament MVP, while senior Kelly Benacka and freshman Julie Shives joined Keaton on the all-tournament squad.

Keaton had 15 kills and 20 digs against Bradley, Benacka had 25 digs, while Shives recorded 49 assists and 16 digs.

Sophomore Karlee Lursen added 14 kills and 15 digs. Freshman Emily Coon posted 14 kills. Senior Meagan Webb had 13 digs.

"I was very pleased with the way we bounced back," Southeast coach Renata Heard said. "Claire was a rock for us today. She not only stepped up her game, but her leadership was exceptional."

Keaton finished the tournament with 41 kills and 40 digs.

Southeast beat Western Illinois 25-18, 25-13, 23-25, 25-22 earlier Saturday.

Benacka recorded a career-high 31 digs. Freshman Colleen Yarber had 11 kills and Keaton added 10. Shives had 31 assists and Webb 13 digs.

Keaton had 16 kills and 11 digs in Friday's 19-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 loss to South Carolina-Upstate. Shives had 34 assists and 10 digs. Benacka added 15 digs while Webb had 12.

Southeast returns to action Friday, facing North Carolina at the Missouri State tournament in Springfield.

Soccer romps 9-1

The Southeast soccer team improved to 2-0 on Friday by routing Alabama A&M 9-1 at the Racer Classic in Murray, Ky.

Southeast tied the fourth-highest goal total in program history, although the Redhawks fell short of last year's 10-0 romp over Alabama A&M.

Six different players scored for Southeast, led by senior Ashley Runion. She recorded her second career hat trick and added a career-high three assists.

Runion has 19 career goals, which ties her for third in program history. Her 13 career assists and 51 career points are both tied for fourth.

Freshman Amy Ward netted two goals and two assists.

Sophomore Courtney Luehmann, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate, scored her first collegiate goal.

Also scoring for the Redhawks were freshmen Stephanie Palmer, Signe Novak and Jacey Boyko.

Palmer and Novak also had assists, as did Taylor Byrd, Lauren Bozesky, Taylor Thomas and Siobhan Symington.

The Redhawks outshot the Bulldogs 27-6, including 16-3 in shots on goal.

Southeast finishes the Racer Classic today with a noon contest against a strong South Florida squad.

-- From staff reports