CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri (7-12, 3-3) battled back to defeat Morehead State (6-14, 3-3) in four sets, 3-1 (14-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-17).
A slow start hindered the Redhawks early, as the Eagles were able to take complete control of the set. MSU cruised to a 25-14 victory in the first frame to take advantage in the match early.
Southeast took little time to respond, battling point-for-point until a kill by
Krissa Gearring sparked a six-point rally (14-8). The Redhawks' defensive pressure allowed for four team blocks and forced multiple MSU errors. The Redhawks cruised to a 25-18 set two victory, tying the match at a set apiece.Â
Nzingha Clarke led Southeast with four kills in the frame, followed byÂ
Madalyn Werths and Gearring with three each.Â
The Redhawks defense stood tall again in the third frame. While tallying 18 team digs and four team blocks, Southeast forced 14 Eagle errors, causing a -.111 hitting clip for the set. After a long back-and-forth contest, the Redhawks claimed the final eight rallies to finish the set 25-16 and took a 2-1 match lead.Â
After a quick start by the Eagles in the fourth set, an eight-point run allowed Southeast to soar past MSU to a 14-8 lead. The Redhawks' attacks gained momentum (.276 attack percentage) in the frame as their defense continued to dominate, adding another five team blocks in the set. Southeast eventually cruised to a 25-17 set finish, claiming the match 3-1 for their second victory of the weekend.
Clarke led with nine kills while registering eight total blocks (one solo, seven assists).
Keegan Fornoff and
Katarina Rotta combined for 36 assists, earning 15 and 13 respectively. The Redhawks set a new season high in team blocks, totaling 15 in the match.
The Redhawks hit the road next weekend to take on SIUE (Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.) and Eastern Illinois (Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.).
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