Southeast volleyball team splits opening OVC matches

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team failed in its bid to set the program's single-match home attendance record Friday night.

That did little to dampen the Redhawks' enthusiasm over the announced crowd of 1,027 at Houck Field House that witnessed Southeast's five-set win against Eastern Illinois in both squads' Ohio Valley Conference opener.

"It was so great. The energy in the gym was unbelievable," senior libero Berkley Idel said. "It helped motivate the team in tough times."

Southeast had to overcome an EIU (7-8, 1-1 OVC) squad that forced a fifth set before falling 25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 24-26, 15-7 as the Redhawks began defense of their 2012 OVC West Division title.

The match featured Southeast making a major push to break the attendance record of 1,168 set in 1993.

"Even though we fell short of the record, we were really elated with the crowd," Southeast coach Julie Yankus said. "I'm very thankful of the staff and administration for all their hard work to get the fans here.

"The crowd got us going. We got off to a 2-0 start [in sets] and the crowd really fueled that. It was a great atmosphere. It's great to show to recruits."

Senior outside hitter Colleen Yarber led Southeast in kills with 18 to go along with 13 digs.

Junior outside hitter Andrea Baylin tied a season high with 15 kills and added 13 digs.

Senior middle blocker Emily Coon had 13 kills and sophomore middle blocker Taylor Masterson posted a season-high 12 kills, one short of tying a career high.

Senior setter Julie Shives dished out 53 assists and Idel recorded 24 digs.

Southeast, leading the OVC in blocks, again fared well in that department. Coon had six blocks, followed by Baylin and Masterson with five each.

But the rousing start to the weekend turned sour Saturday afternoon when SIU Edwardsville upset the Redhawks 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23 in front of another nice Houck Field House crowd announced at 318.

Yankus and some of her players thought the Redhawks (8-8, 1-1 OVC) might have taken the Cougars (5-10, 1-1) lightly but they say both weekend matches are good examples of how nothing figures to come easy for OVC West Division preseason favorite Southeast.

"It's not going to be easy, that's for sure. We can't overlook anybody," Yankus said. "They [SIUE} did play well. They really played scrappy defense and I think it frustrated us.

"I think we were a little too relaxed. When you're not the underdog, it's easy to have that mentality. We didn't come out ready and lost that first set."

Said Idel: "It definitely shows we have a target on our backs. Other teams will come out strong against us."

Added Baylin: "We need to realize everybody is going to play their best game against us."

Yarber against led Southeast in kills with 14 and she added 17 digs.

Baylin had 11 kills and tied a season high with 18 digs, while Coon and Masterson added 10 kills apiece.

Shives recorded 47 assists and 10 digs. Idel came up with 21 digs. Freshman libero Jade Mortimer served three aces.

Southeast added 12 more blocks, led by Coon and Masterson with five apiece. Shives had four.

Cori Harris paced SIUE with 17 kills. She was one of five Cougars to post double-figure kills.

"We just have to go back to practice Monday and work hard to get better," Baylin said.

Southeast returns to action Tuesday, visiting Tennessee-Martin for a 6 p.m. OVC match.