Box Score | PDF Version
 
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri (8-7, 1-0 OVC) volleyball team defeated Eastern Illinois (6-8, 0-1 OVC) in five sets Friday (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 24-26, 15-7) in the Ohio Valley Conference opener.
 
In an attempt to break a home attendance record of 1,168, Southeast Missouri came up short; drawing in a crowd of 1,027.
 
"Overall I think we had a hard fought match that we were excited coming in to which helped up in the first two sets," said head coach Julie Yankus. "Unfortunately, coming into the third set, we laid off a bit and EIU really turned it on and started picking the ball up and putting it away. Our leaders and returners really came through with a lot of composure to close out the game."
 
The Redhawks took an early lead in the match with 25-22 win in the first set. It was all Southeast as the Redhawks led the whole set. Andrea Baylin laid down seven kills in the opening set.
 
The second set proved to be another walk in the park for Southeast as they cruised to a 25-19 set win and a 2-0 lead in the match. Colleen Yarber led the offense with six kills in the set.
 
The EIU offense woke up in the third set as the Panthers got ahead and were able to hold off the Redhawks for a 25-22 set win. Southeast was able to tie the set numerous times but could not pull ahead. Stephanie Arnold posted her third five-kill set of the night.  
 
The Panthers and Redhawks went round and round again in the fourth set as the score was tied 11 times. EIU prevailed with a 26-24 set win to tie up the match and force a decisive fifth set.
 
The fifth and final set was all Southeast as they clinched the match with a 15-7 win. Southeast laid down 10 kills to EIU's four in the set.
 
Baylin tied a season-high 15 kills while Taylor Masterson posted a season-high 12, one short of tying a career-high. The league leaders in blocking added 13 total team blocks with Emily Coon adding six with Baylin and Masterson posting five each.
 
Yankus added, "Baylin played really smart, placing the ball where she needed it to go. She followed the scouting report and it really paid off for her. Colleen swung well as usual and took advantage of it. Coon came alive towards the end and when she gets fired up, you don't want to mess with her! Also really proud of the way Taylor played tonight. She was very available for us and was a big contender for us tonight."
 
On the crowd, Yankus said, "The crowd was excellent despite coming up short of the record. I am very, very proud of the turnout tonight and very thankful of the staff and administration for all their hard work to get the fans here tonight. I would have liked to have broken the record but we put on a good show; the fans really got into it and cheered really well!"