Southeast Missouri vs. Tennessee Tech
Match Information
Venue: Houck Field House
Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
When: Friday, Oct. 3; 6 p.m.
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter Updates: @SEMOvb
 
Complete Southeast Missouri Match Notes
 
Homecoming, Literally
The Southeast Missouri volleyball team will return home Friday, Oct. 3 for an Ohio Valley Conference matchup against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Redhawks volleyball match will be the first Redhawks event of the 2014 Homecoming weekend. This will be the first of six home matches for Southeast volleyball in the month of October. Fans in attendance Friday will also receive admission to the Southeast Missouri soccer match at 6:30 at Houck Stadium.
 
Dig For Life
Southeast Missouri will hold its annual Pink Up Night Friday evening to kick off the 2014 Dig For Life campaign. Dig For Life was started by former head volleyball coach and current Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Cindy Gannon to raise breast cancer awareness and promote early detection. Money raised through Dig For Life helps provide mammograms for women who otherwise cannot afford them. A 50/50 raffle will be held at both the volleyball and soccer matches Friday. Proceeds raised through the raffle will benefit Dig For Life.
 
Looking Back
The Redhawks began Ohio Valley Conference play 0-3. This is the first time since the 2004 season Southeast Missouri volleyball has opened OVC play with three-straight losses. The Redhawks fell to Murray State in three sets, Austin Peay in four, and UT Martin in five. All of which were on the road. Despite what their record shows, Southeast's conference-only numbers look promising. The Redhawks' .227 team hitting clip is third-best in the league, their 13.33 kills per set ranks fifth, and their 2.75 blocks per set is best in the league.
 
Offensive Prowess
The Redhawks are sporting the fifth-best team hitting percentage in the league with a .200 clip; up from .193 entering OVC play. Taylor Masterson (.350) and Kelsey Keeve (.335) rank fourth and fifth individually in hitting percentage. Kill-wise, the Redhawks rank seventh with 12.11 kills per set; up from 11.82 prior to OVC play. In conference-only matches, the Redhawks' .227 hitting clip ranks third. Individually, Masterson has the best hitting percentage in the league with a .422 clip. Keeve (.362) and Nzingha Clarke (.351) also rank in the top-ten in league-only games.
 
Building Blocks
In 2013, the Redhawks were the top blockers in the Ohio Valley Conference all season long. Since the start of OVC play this season, Southeast has began to build on their blocking game. In the last three games, Southeast is averaging 2.75 blocks per set as a team. Individually, Taylor Masterson is leading the league in OVC games with 1.33 blocks per set while Nzingha Clarke has 1.20 per set. Overall this season, The Redhawks have 1.90 blocks per set while Clarke is averaging 1.02 with a total of 48.
 
Scouting the Golden Eagles
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles began OVC play with two games at home. TTU defeated Eastern Illinois in four sets and took SIUE to five sets, downing the Cougars. The Golden Eagles went on the road to Jacksonville State and fell 3-1 to the Gamecocks. Overall this season, the Golden Eagles are only hitting .163 but are holding their opponents to a .200 average, which is third-best in the league. The Golden Eagle defense is strong, as they average over two blocks per set and over 15 digs a set. Jordan Wachowiak leads the league in blocking with 1.22 blocks per set. Libero Courtney Smith leads the OVC in digs with five digs per set.
 
Record Against
All-time, Southeast Missouri holds a 38-11 record over Tennessee Tech. A season ago, the Redhawks went on the road to Cookeville and defeated the Golden Eagles in four sets on their home floor in the regular-season finale. 
 
Setting Up
The Redhawks will hit the road to Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State for their first of only two road trips in October, Oct. 10-11. The Redhawks will return home for a five-game home stand beginning with a matchup on Monday, Oct. 13 against in-state rival, Missouri State. The Redhawks and Bears will face off at 4 p.m. that Monday.