CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri women's volleyball team opens its 2011 season this weekend. The Redhawks will take part in the Memphis Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. The five-team tournament features Alabama A&M, Arkansas-Little Rock, Georgia State and Memphis.
Southeast faces Georgia State at 2 p.m., CT, in its season-opener Friday. Followed with a nightcap tilt against Memphis at 7 p.m., CT.
The Redhawks return 10 letter winners and four starters from the 2010 squad that went 7-22 overall and 4-14 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The 2011 roster features 14 players. The Redhawks return two seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. Southeast welcomes four new players to its roster this season. The group includes: one transfer and three true freshmen.
This year's crop of returners features Sophomore Emily Coon, who was named to Preseason All-OVC after a stellar freshman season. Coon accounted for 168 kills and also contributed defensively with a team-high 80 blocks in 2010.
The group of returnees are also anchored by Karlee Lursen and Paige Dossey. Lursen ranked second on the Redhawks in kills last season with 189, she also added 204 digs. Dossey added 112 kills in 2010 to go along with 41 blocks.
Sophomore Julie Shives is back at setter, Shives posted 942 set assists last season. She also contributed defensively with 323 digs. Fellow sophomore Andrea Baylin is also back, Baylin contributed 157 digs a season ago.
Meanwhile, Georgia State went 14-14 overall and 8-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association last season. GSU returns CAA Preseason player of the Year Vineece Verden. In 2010, Vineece led the CAA in kills with 372 and hit a sizzling .317. The Panthers also welcome back eight letter winners from last season.
The Memphis Tigers went 16-16 overall and 7-13 in Conference USA in 2010. Memphis returns four players from a season ago. The Tiger's top returner is Altrese Hawkins. She led the Tigers in kills a season ago with 483.
Georgia State and Southeast meet for the first time in 2011.
Memphis and Southeast will meet for the 15 time. The Tigers own a 10-4 record against the Redhawks in the all-time series. Southeast has won the last two contests against the Memphis. In 2009, Southeast downed Memphis 3-0 and in 2007, the Redhawks squeaked pasted the Tigers 3-2.
Live stats, video and live blogs for Friday's opener can be accessed online at GoTigersGo.com.
