Southeast's past stars to provide first test for '06 'Hawks

~ The second annual alumni match will take place Saturday morning.

Southeast Missouri State volleyball coach Renata Nowacki will get a look at her team under match conditions for the first time Saturday -- and bragging rights will be on the line.

The 2006 Redhawks will square off against some of the program's former stars in Southeast's second annual alumni match. Action gets under way at 10 a.m. at Houck Field House.

"I thought our first alumni match really went well last year, and we're looking forward to another one," said Nowacki, in her second season as the Redhawks' coach following four years as an assistant. "This is something we plan on doing every year.

"These are a lot of fun. It's a chance for the former players to get involved, and it's nice for the girls to interact with former players. We'll have a barbecue afterward for the alumni, players and parents. It should be a really good day."

Many of the former Southeast players scheduled to participate were all-Ohio Valley Conference picks who rank among the top performers in school history.

Those slated to compete are Jackie (Derwort) Haines (1999), Kimberly (Aggert) Smith (1998), Rachelle Knapp (2000), Lea Beckemeyer (2000), Amy (Henken) Sheehan (1999), Emily Scannell (2003), Suzanne Gundlach (2003), Sarah Frost (2003), Jessica (Houpt) Hills (2002), Ashley Smith (2004), Jill Miller (2005) and Lauren Scannell (2005).

"This is something I know the alumni look forward to. People are putting it on their calendars, and I'm very pleased with the response we're getting," Nowacki said. "Rachelle Knapp is flying in from California, so that shows you it's important to them."

Nowacki expects the alumni squad to give the current Redhawks a challenge. The alumni were competitive last year before losing 30-26, 30-22, 30-22.

"I think they're going to be darn competitive," Nowacki said. "I ran into Amy Sheehan at a tournament and she said they're ready. I know the alumni team won't go down easily.

"Our girls will get a lot out of a match like this. We scrimmage all the time, but it's always against ourselves so we know what's coming. It's good to see rotations."

The Redhawks open their season Aug. 25 at the Mississippi tournament. Southeast will have four matches in the two-day event.