Aug. 23, 2010

 

 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.- Southeast Missouri State's All-Time leader for points scored took his last shot on the basketball court at Houck Fieldhouse in 1963. Forty-seven years later, Carl Ritter Sr. will watch his granddaughter on that very same court, as she will finish her career on the Redhawks volleyball team.

 

Kacie Ritter, who was a setter and All-American cheerleader at nearby Scott City High School, joins the volleyball team after competing last year at Union University. She first started her career at Jefferson College, where she played for two years, and then went one semester at Union before finally landing comfortably in Cape Girardeau. "I loved the fact of playing for my hometown," said Ritter. "Another reason I wanted to come back and play for Southeast was so I could play in the exact gym as my grandfather did."

 

She thoroughly enjoys being a part of the Redhawks team. She said she feels the support from the community, stating that "there are so many people outside of the team who help us out when we need anything and we have so much support from the community." Ritter also feels a sense of togetherness when around the team. "These girls on my team are not just teammates, but they are now my family," said Ritter. "We push each other to our limits so each one of us can get better and reach our goals."

 

Ritter believes that volleyball has not only been beneficial to her on the court, but has also prepared her for her professional career off the court. After completing her degree in the spring, she would like to be a high school biology teacher and volleyball coach. She states that hard work, respect, and mental toughness are what she has learned from volleyball. "College volleyball has prepared me a lot for the years to come," said Ritter. "I have been taught what hard work is all about, and I have learned multi-tasking skills that I know will benefit me in a job setting someday." The most important thing she has learned from volleyball is, "what being a team player is all about, and that putting others before yourself is crucial in many aspects of life."

 

2010 Seniors

Head Coach Renata Heard feels that Kacie is a huge addition to the team. "From the first day that Kacie walked into our gym, I knew she was a great fit for our team," said coach Ren. "She knows what it takes to be successful on and off the court, and she is a very disciplined individual with a huge heart! She makes our team better in so many intangible ways."

 

Ritter will compete with freshman Julie Shives as the starting setter. She joins Emily Hughes, Kelly Benacka, Claire Keaton, and Meagan Webb in their final season as Redhawks. The team opens up this weekend in Peoria, Ill. at the Hotels at Grand Prairie Invitational. The Redhawks meet up with USC Upstate on August 27 at 4:00 p.m in Bradley Arena.