Women's basketball adds two more recruits

The Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball recruiting class increased to eight Tuesday, when coach B.J. Smith announced the signing of two more junior college players.

Committing to the Otahkians were Bliss Roberson, a 5-7 sophomore guard at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and Natalie Purcell, a 6-foot-1 sophomore forward at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. Both players will have two seasons of eligibility at Southeast.

Roberson, originally from Van Buren, Mo., averaged 11.4 points, three rebounds and three assists per game as a sophomore for a TRCC team that went 29-6 and placed fifth in the national junior college tournament. She shot 43 percent from the field and hit 78 percent of her free throws.

"Their team was really good, but I felt like she was the player that fit us the best," Smith said. "I really like her. She's very athletic, she can shoot and she can take people off the dribble."

Purcell, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Her coach at Hutchinson was Oak Ridge High School graduate Nathan Daume.

"She's very athletic and she shoots the three well," Smith said. "She's a player we really targeted and we feel like she's an important recruit for us."

The Otahkians have now signed six players this spring along with two who signed during the early fall period. Six of those are junior college sophomores, with the other two high school seniors.

"We feel really good about the players we've got coming in, along with the six players who will be returning," Smith said. "This is the best group of recruits we've signed so far. The key will be getting everybody to play together as a team."

Southeast has one more available scholarship after Melissa Anthony, who missed all of last season with an injury, recently told Smith that she would not be returning to the program.

Volleyball signs Scannell

Southeast volleyball coach Cindy Gannon announced the signing of a familiar name on Tuesday, as Lauren Scannell committed to the Otahkians.

Scannell, a sophomore at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, is the sister of former Southeast setter Emily Scannell, who wrapped up a brilliant four-year career with the Otahkians last season.

Lauren Scannell, a 5-9 outside hitter/defensive specialist, was a second-team junior college All-American as she helped lead SIC to 10th place in the national tournament.

"Adding Lauren to the team should enhance our ball control, which was a problem last year," Gannon said. "We know that she has two years of quality experience."

Tennis lands two players

Twins Bryce and Drew Kristal from Pleasanton, Calif., have each signed a letter of intent with Southeast's women's tennis program, giving the Otahkians three new recruits for next season after Canada's Kim Roberts signed last week.

The Kristals are seniors at Foothill High School. Bryce is ranked 10th in the USTA Northern California section under-18 and Drew is ranked 18th.

"Bryce and Drew are talented players with strong tournament histories," Southeast coach Jay Pacelli said. "I believe they will be at the center of a number of singles and doubles victories next season and the turnaround for Southeast tennis."

Golf still last in OVC

Southeast's golf team remained last among 11 squads after two days of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Paducah, Ky. The event concludes today.

The Indians shot 327 on Tuesday after Monday's 320. Their 36-hole total of 647 is 47 strokes behind leader Jacksonville State. Murray State (606), Austin Peay (609), Eastern Kentucky (617) and Tennessee State (619) round out the top five.

Southeast has no player in the top 20. Zack Decker leads the way in a tie for 22nd place at 12-over 156. Matt Hillis is tied for 47th at 164 while Kent Phillips, Brian Sheehan and Mark Schmitz are all tied for 49th at 165.

Murray State's Kyle Shirley is in first place at even-par 144.