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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri volleyball team fell to Southern Illinois Sunday in the home opener, 3-2 (24-26, 22-25, 25-23,10-15).
 
Southeast Missouri set a new attendance record of 1,206 in the second annual Houck "FILLED" House event. The previous record was 1,168 and stood since 1993. 
 
"I'm so excited that we set a new attendance record," said head coach Julie Yankus. "We truly appreciate the support and the team thrives in the type of environment that the crowd created today. We hope everyone enjoyed the game and will come back and continue to support our team!"
 
It was anyone's game in the opening set. Southeast and SIU had nearly identical stats in the opening stanza. The difference came right down to hitting; Southeast hit .258 to SIU's .244 with three fewer errors but the Salukis had six more kills. The score was tied a total of nine times and the lead changed three times. Tied at 24, SIU's Meg Viggars terminated two kills to sway the set in the Salukis' favor, 26-24.
 
Southeast fell behind early in the second set but worked their way back to narrow the score to 12-11. SIU was then able to widen the lead again but the Redhawks chipped away and tied the set at 18. The Salukis held off the Redhawk offense and took set two, 25-22, and a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Redhawks came out of the intermission with vengeance. The score was tied seven times but the Redhawks never trailed on their way to a 25-23 set three win. Southeast hit .295 in the set.
 
The fourth set was the closest set of the match with the lead changing a total of five times. Offense was tough to come by on both sides of the net as Southeast hit .100 with 10 kills and SIU hit .075. with 11. Southeast used eight attack errors and three service errors by the Salukis to win the set, 25-21, and force a decisive fifth set.
 
Unfortunately, the Redhawks weren't able to keep the momentum going in the fifth and final set. Southern Illinois used four-straight points early and rode the early lead to a 15-10 set win and taking the match, 3-2.
 
Andrea Baylin recorded her sixth double-double of the season Sunday. Baylin had a new career-high 27 kills with 19 digs while hitting .261 in the match.
 
"Baylin had a great match today, both offensively and defensively," Yankus added. "She played very smart on offense, using shots when needed and swinging aggressively when she had the opportunity. I'm very proud of what she put out on the court today."
 
Freshman Krissa Gearring also had a double-double performance Sunday as she had 12 kills and 12 digs. Kelsey Keeve added 14 kills and Taylor Masterson had 10 kills with six blocks against SIU. Katarina Rotta also tallied a new career-high 58 assists.
 
"Krissa played aggressively and had a great first match in Houck Field House. She's didn't seem to let her first experience of playing at home affect her performance."
 
The Redhawks will now turn their attention to Ohio Valley Conference play. The Redhawks open OVC play Friday at Murray State followed by Austin Peay Saturday.