Southeast vs. EKU Box Score

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Sophomore Emily Coon had a career-high 18 kills to lead the Redhawks past Eastern Kentucky 3-1 (25-14, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22) in the first round of the OVC Championship Tournament. The win marks the Redhawks first OVC Tournament win since 2006.
 
“We came out fired up and ready to prove something tonight and we were very aggressive and forced them to struggle ,” said head coach Julie Folliard.
 
The Redhawks got off to a fast start in the first frame as Southeast jumped out to a 7-2 lead. Southeast was paced by All-Conference performer Emily Coon who recorded three kills and one solo block during the early barrage.
 
EKU would battle back and cut the Redhawks lead to 12-9 as Errors riddled Southeast during that stretch. The Redhawks then built a 19-12 lead later in the frame capitalizing on errors by EKU.
 
The Redhawks ended the set on a 6-2 run taking the set 25-14. Southeast hit .346 in the frame and held the Colonels to a -.056 hitting percentage.
 
Neither team could find an offensive rhythm in the second frame as the two teams battled for position until the Redhawks used a three-point run to take the largest lead of the set at 12-9.
 
The Redhawks built a 22-16 lead late in the frame, but a four point-run cut the Redhawks lead to 22-20, which led to a Redhawks timeout. The Redhawks then scored the final three points in the frame and took the set 25-20 on Coon kill to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Both teams struggled offensively in the frame as the Redhawks hit .195 in the frame six errors, while the Colonels also recorded six errors hitting at a .136 clip.
 
The Colonels jumped on the Redhawks early in the third frame as EKU hit .750 in the opening points as they jumped out to a 8-4 advantage. The Colonels built a 12-6 lead, but the Redhawks battled back and used a five-point run to cut the EKU advantage to 12-11.
 
The Redhawks tied the set at 14-14, but EKU quickly built a three point advantage at 17-14. The Redhawks battled back and tied the match at 17, then Southeast built a 22-20 lead late that led to an EKU timeout.
 
EKU responded with a run of their own to force a Redhawk timeout as EKU's three-point run gave them a 23-22 advantage. EKU closed out the set with two more points taking the third frame 25-22.
 
The Redhawks jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the fourth set as Southeast hit .400 to open the frame. Southeast continued their solid play this time defensively as the Redhawks jumped out to a 12-7 lead.
 
EKU made a run and tied the set at 12-12.  EKU then jumped out and took 16-13 lead on the Redhawks. The game of runs continued as the Redhawks contoured with a four-point run to take a 17-16 lead as the run forced an EKU timeout.
 
The two teams began a back-and-fourth affair that saw neither team take an a lead larger then two until Southeast took a 24-22 lead. The Redhawks then used an attacking error by EKU to take the frame 25-22 and the match 3-1.
 
Southeast hit .227 on the night with 60 kills. The Redhawks held EKU to a .124 hitting percentage.
 
The Redhawks were led by Coon with 18 kills, she also added six total blocks. She also hit .467 in 30 attacks. Brittney Kalinoski added 11 kills hitting .231.
 
“Emily did a great job of swinging high and cut angles, the team did a great job to keep the ball in system and get the ball to her,” said Folliard.
 
Senior Paige Dossey hit a Career-high .500 on the night with seven kills and 16 digs. Julie Shives added 45 assists to go along with nine digs and six kills.
 
“Paige swung awy and was aggressive, she swung down the line and defensively she wouldn't let anything hit the ground,” said Folliard.
 
The Redhawks advance to the semi-finals to take on #1 seed Morehead State at 6 p.m., CT. Friday at Wetherby Gymnasium.