Southern Illinois Box Score | PDF Version
 
MANAHTTAN, Kans. – The Southeast Missouri (4-2) volleyball team wrapped up tournament play at the Kansas State Invitational Saturday morning with a five-set win over regional rival, Southern Illinois (2-5).
 
"It feels great to win another close, five-set match," said head coach Julie Yankus. "We played in streaks but I'm glad we remained calm and our leadership came through in tight situations. Yarber really came through in some clutch situations and our blocking shut them down in the fifth set."
 
Southeast matched its tournament record from the previous weekend, finishing 2-1. Emily Coon and Colleen Yarber were both named to the all-tournament team. 
 
With Saturday's win, Southeast snapped a four-game losing streak to SIU dating back to 2008. Southeast last beat SIU on Oct. 9, 2007, 3-1.
 
SIU took an early lead in the first set on a 7-0 run, aided by four-straight errors by Southeast. The Salukis took the set 25-21.
 
The Redhawks turned the tables on SIU in the second set and defeated the Salukis by the same score as set one to tie up the match at one set apiece. Southeast closed out the set with seven straight unanswered points.
 
After jumping out to an early 7-1 lead, Southern Illinois allowed Southeast to go on a 7-0 run and take a one point lead. Tied at 17, SIU went on a 5-0 run to take a comfy lead and eventually the set, 25-20.
 
Down 2-1 in the match, the Redhawks used a couple of runs in the fourth set to keep up with a strong Saluki offense. Southeast won the tight set 25-23 to tie up the match and force a decisive fifth set.
 
Down 10-2, SIU went on an 8-3 run to pull the score to 13-10. Southeast used an SIU attack error and a service ace to take the set 15-10 and the match.
 
Yarber led the Redhawks with 16 kills. Coon had 12 kills of her own with four blocks. Taylor Masterson was a wall on the net with a career-high 11 blocks (two solo, nine assisted). Kelsey Keeve also had a career day on the net with eight blocks.
 
Jessica Whitehead had an impressive 28 kills for SIU in 71 attempts and a respectable .268 attack percentage.
 
The Redhawks will travel to Columbus, Ohio Friday for the Sports Imports DC Koehl Classic hosted by Ohio State. The Redhawks are slated to take on Xavier, Ohio State, and IUPUI.