Southeast soccer, volleyball open seasons with victories

It took until the 74th minute of its season-opening contest against UMSL Friday night at Houck Stadium for the Southeast Missouri State soccer team to score.

But once the Redhawks put one in the back of the net it took just 27 seconds for them to tally their second goal in a 2-0 victory against the Tritons.

Senior midfielder Torey Byrd scored on a penalty kick after being taken down in the box 73 minutes, 10 seconds into the game.

Byrd then assisted sophomore forward Natasha Minor on a goal a mere 27 seconds later.

"When we talked at halftime, we thought that our possession had been pretty good in the game and we had created some opportunities but weren't quite calm enough in the final third," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said in a news release. "I think the girls did a better job when we came out in the second half to try and maintain that intensity but create better goal-scoring chances, and I think we did."

Southeast had 12 shots -- four on goal. The Redhawks' defense held UMSL to just one shot in the game, which freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz saved, who also recorded her first career shutout.

The Redhawks compete in the Air Force Academy Tournament in Colorado next weekend. They play UC Davis at 4 p.m. Friday in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. Sept. 7 in Greeley, Colorado.

Southeast volleyball

Southeast volleyball started off its season with a win over Memphis before falling to Alabama in the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic hosted by Saint Louis University.

The Redhawks beat the Tigers in four sets, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-16.


Senior outside hitter Andrea Baylin led the Redhawks with 12 kills in the match. She also had a career-high 23 digs.

Sophomore right side hitter Madalyn Werths contributed 10 kills, including five in the first set and the match point in the close third set.

In the fourth set, Southeast was able to capitalize on seven aces to handily win it. Senior right side hitter Meredith Stranges had five aces, all in the fourth set, which tied the record at Chaifetz Arena.

Sophomore setter Katarina Rotta had 31 assists against Memphis.

The Redhawks took a 25-19 victory in the first set against Alabama before the Crimson Tide swept the final three sets 25-21, 25-23, 25-16.

Baylin and junior middle blocker Taylor Masterson, who had redshirted at Alabama as a freshman, tied for a team-high eight kills against the Crimson Tide.

Southeast and Alabama each had eight serve errors in the match.

"I am very proud of our first day. You never know what to expect with a young team," coach Julie Yankus said in a news release. "We came out strong against Memphis and we had a lot of young players contributing. They came out confidently and put it all out on the floor. We let that momentum ride into the first set against Alabama but couldn't keep it together in the end."

The Redhawks face SLU at noon and Northern Iowa at 5 p.m. today to conclude the tournament.