SOUTHEAST'S PALMER NAMED OVC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University's Kim Palmer, a senior from Dongola, Ill., was selected Ohio Valley Conference softball Player of the Year by OVC head coaches.

Southeast's Lana Richmond was voted Coach of the Year, and three Otahkians joined Palmer on the all-OVC first team -- sophomore shortstop Jenny Oermann, junior outfielder Chris Shetley and sophomore pitcher Christine Engelhardt.

Palmer ranked among the top 10 in the OVC in six offensive categories during the regular season. Palmer led the league in batting average (.399) and RBIs (31), and was among the conference leaders in runs scored (35), doubles (9), triples (6) and home runs (4).

Palmer was also an honorable mention all-OVC selection for Southeast's basketball team this season.

Richmond was selected Coach of the Year for the third straight season. Richmond led the Otahkians to a 27-18-1 record during the regular season; Southeast won its third straight OVC regular season title, going 20-5 in the league.

Southeast's Tami Hebert and Kendra Williams were named to the all-OVC second team.