Southeast vs. Eastern Illinois Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri volleyball team used a balanced effort Tuesday evening in the opening night of the Dig for Life Campaign earning a 3-1 (25-9, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15) win over Eastern Illinois. The win improves the Redhawk's record to 4-0 at Houck Fieldhouse this season.

"We got off to a great start tonight, we were very aggressive, our middles got involved right away and we were passing very well, which allowed used to spread the ball around,” said head coach Julie Folliard
 
The Redhawks got out to a fast start in the first set as Southeast hit a sizzling .440 in the frame with no errors as the Redhawks took the opening set 25-9.
 
"Southeast jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the opening frame. The Redhawks would then use a four-point run later in the frame to take the first set. The Redhawks held the Panthers to .000 hitting percentage in the opening set.
 
The second frame saw Southeast continue to put pressure on the Panthers as the Redhawks hit .281 in the frame on their way to a 25-19 win. The Redhawks jumped out to an early 3-1 lead.
 
Eastern Illinois would battle back in the frame, but the Redhawks would never lose the lead as Southeast forced six errors by EIU in the second set.
 
The third set saw the Panthers hit over .200 for the only time in the match as EIU took the frame 25-22.
 
The Redhawks struggled to find a groove in the third frame hitting .075 with nine errors.  The Redhawks were up 12-7, but EIU battled back and used the momentum by a pair of services aces by Dakota Springer to take the frame and cut the Redhawks match lead to 2-1.
 
Southeast was aggressive in the third set as Southeast hit  .367 in the frame. The Panthers battled the Redhawks in the frame until Southeast used a seven point run to end the match as Southeast took the final set 25-15 and the match 3-1.
 
Southeast hit .268 on the night. The Redhawks had 54 kills on the evening with 56 digs. The Panthers hit .120 in the match, with 42 kills and 47 digs.
 
Southeast was led by senior Holly Reynolds, who tied a career-high with 10 kills, she also added five blocks defensively.
 
“Holly had a great night, she came out right away and swung with confidence and that carried her throughout the match. She was very smart in her attacks and used each set and placed the ball aggressively,” said Folliard.
 
Sophomore Emily Coon hit a Red hot .619 on the night, a season-high for any Redhawk. She finished with 14 kills, falling one shy of her career-high. Coon also added four blocks.
 
“Emily was available as much as she could be tonight, Julie was able to find her and she capitalized on her opportunities tonight,” said Folliard.
 
Junior Karlee Lursen also added 14 kills to go along with 11 digs and four blocks. Sophomore Julie Shives dished out 44 assists and added 10 digs.
 
“Julie pushed the middle tonight and spread the ball out, which allowed our hitters to keep the opponent guessing,” said Folliard.
 
Senior Paige Dossey led the Redhawks with 16 digs on the opening night of the Dig for Life Campaign as junior Samantha Lowman joined Dossey in double digits digs with 10.
 
Eastern Illinois was led by Emily Franklin, who had a game-high 15 kills. Reynae Hutchinson added 13 kills for EIU.
 
The Redhawks will be in action Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., CT. as Southeast heads to Austin Peay to take on the Governors.