Why is Whitney the key to Southeast's success?

Missy Whitney considers it an honor that she was voted the Ohio Valley Conference's preseason player of the year.

And Southeast Missouri State's senior forward/center would love to follow that up by winning the award after the season is over.

"It was kind of exciting to be picked from all the players in the OVC," Whitney said of her preseason honor.

As far as potentially being named the league's top player in a few months, Whitney said: "I wouldn't mind that either."

Neither would second-year Southeast coach John Ishee, since it likely would mean that the Redhawks had another banner year as they chase their third straight OVC regular-season and tournament titles.

Missy Whitney averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for the Redhawks last season. (Kit Doyle)

"If she's the player of the year after the season, it means we probably had a really good year," Ishee said.

The 6-foot-2 Whitney had a strong rookie season for the Redhawks last year, earning second-team all-OVC honors after transferring from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Whitney averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

A former Charleston High School standout, Whitney was 10th in the OVC in scoring and sixth in rebounding. She also ranked third in blocked shots with 45.

"Missy had a great year last year and I think she grows by leaps and bounds every day as a player and as a leader," Ishee said. "If she continues that, she can have a great year, and many more years to come if she chooses to play professionally."

Southeast Missouri State's Missy Whitney was named the preseason Ohio Valley Conference player of the year. (Fred Lynch)

Whitney, the first female athlete from Charleston High School to receive a Division I athletic scholarship, said she expected to be a major contributor in her first season at Southeast.

"I knew I could compete at this level, I just didn't know how good," she said. "I thought I did pretty good."

The fact she was able to excel in front of so many familiar faces at the Show Me Center made the season even more special.

"My family, all my former coaches, teachers, they come to all my home games," she said. "It's nice to have that support."

Also nice for Whitney was that she helped the Redhawks repeat as OVC regular-season and tournament champions as they made their second straight NCAA appearance.

"It was exciting. That's why I came here, to keep the streak going," she said.

Whitney hopes to continue the streak this year as the Redhawks are favored to three-peat.

"We have a good chance, if we work hard and compete," she said. "We're excited."