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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri volleyball squad (13-11, 5-4 OVC) defeated Eastern Kentucky (12-13, 4-5 OVC) in a close five sets Thursday (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 15-9).
 
"Once again, tonight was a tale of two different teams," said head coach Julie Yankus. "We came out really strong tonight and really executed our offense the first two sets. Unfortunately, after the break, EKU came out hot and really started firing on all cylinders. We are very good in fifth sets and I am proud of the way we responded to close out the match." 
 
The Redhawks used a massive 12-1 run in the first set to go head on the Colonels early. Southeast held EKU to 15 points in the first set as the Redhawks cruised to a 25-15 opening set victory. Southeast tallied five of their eight total team blocks in the first set alone.
 
Southeast used a 25-18 set two win to get out in front of EKU 2-0 in the match. Andrea Baylin posted five kills in the set as Emily Coon recorded a .667 (4-for-6) hitting clip in the set.
 
With the threat of a sweep looming over the Colonels, EKU came out of the break with guns blazing. Southeast jumped out in front early but EKU was quick to tie it up at eight. Southeast was able to stay close as the score was tied at 21. EKU finished out the set with a 5-1 run to stay alive in the match.
 
With the Redhawks ready to swipe the match and EKU looking to stay alive a little longer, both teams fought close in the fourth set. The set proved very back and forth early but EKU pulled ahead just enough and held off the Redhawks offense long enough to even up the match at two sets apiece, 25-20.
 
Down 6-3 in the fifth and final set, the Redhawks used an 8-1 run to go up 11-7 on EKU. Southeast rounded out the set with four straight points to take the match, 15-9.
 
Baylin led the Redhawks in kills with 15 on the night with 16 digs. Taylor Masterson tallied 12 kills with a season-high .611 hitting clip and four blocks. Berkley Idel tallied 23 kills with a career-high seven assists.
 
"Almost every time we gave Taylor the ball, she got a kill! She is a very smart volleyball player and places the ball very well with some good, hard hits. Andrea did a good job tonight as well and swung well from the back row and attacked the back-right well on the night," said Yankus.
 
Southeast Missouri will take on Morehead State Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles are undefeated in conference play this season.