Southeast roundup: Redhawks runners grab second-place finishes

The Southeast Missouri State cross country teams got their seasons under way Saturday with second-place finishes at the Washington University Early Bird meet in St. Louis.

Southeast was the only Division I program in the event that featured 18 men's teams and 16 women's squads.

Southeast's men were edged out for the title by host Washington University, ranked No. 1 nationally in Division III. The Redhawks scored 47 points to the Bears' 46 points.

Washington University's fourth-ranked women rolled to the title with 27 points, way ahead of Southeast's 117 points.

The Redhawks' five runners who scored on the men's side all placed in the top 13, led by Chris Loseman and Dustin Davis.

Loseman was fifth, covering the 6K course in 19 minutes, 25.2 seconds, while Davis was sixth in 19:29.

Alex Zisser finished 11th (19:45), with Jason Lumpkin 12th (19:45.7) and Nathan Shipley 13th (19:48.2).

Monica Noble led Southeast's women in the 4K race by placing 14th in 16:08.5.

Liz Speicher was 17th (16:24.1), Kasey Owens 21st (16:39.8), Central High School graduate Tiffany Mead 32nd (17:17.9) and Samantha Thierry 33rd (17:20.3).

Southeast is back in action Sept. 18 at the Vanderbilt Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

Volleyball

The Southeast volleyball team found the going tough against rugged competition at the JQH Invitational in Springfield, Mo.

Southeast (2-4) dropped all three of its matches to North Carolina, Ohio and host Missouri State.

North Carolina beat Southeast 25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-13 on Friday. Julie Shives had a double-double for Southeast with 33 assists and 10 digs. Claire Keaton had nine kills, Kelly Benacka had 27 digs and Karlee Lursen recorded 18 digs.

Ohio swept the Redhawks 25-15, 25-22, 25-20 on Saturday. Southeast leaders were Lursen with 10 kills, Benacka with 11 digs and Shives with 25 assists.

The Redhawks finished the tournament Saturday with another sweep as Missouri State romped 25-16, 25-14, 25-14. Southeast leaders were Emily Hughes with 10 kills, Benacka with 16 digs and Shives with 24 assists.

Southeast returns to action Friday, facing South Florida at the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Ill.

Women's soccer

The Southeast soccer squad continues its three-game homestand today when Ball State visits Houck Stadium at 1 p.m.

Southeast (3-1) opened the homestand with Wednesday's 1-0 win over Washington University. The Redhawks have not lost in their last nine home games, including four straight victories.

Ball State (3-2) has dropped two straight after winning its first three of the season.

-- From staff reports