COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri (5-12, 1-3) was defeated in three straight sets (23-25, 24-26, 25-27) by Tennessee Tech (4-13, 2-2) Saturday.

Southeast held control much of the match but couldn't hold off late-set offensive attacks by the Golden Eagles.

The Redhawks strung together five points after a kill by Krissa Gearring and several Golden Eagle errors to claim at 10-7 lead in the opening stanza. Southeast remained ahead of TTU much of the set, eventually taking a 23-20 lead after a kill by Taylor Masterson. The Golden Eagles battled back to overtake the Redhawks, mounting a five-point rally to claim the opening game, 25-23.

TTU continued to ride its momentum, taking an early six-point lead over Southeast, 14-8. The Redhawks fought back, tying the frame at 21 on Madalyn Werths' fourth kill of the set. Both squads went point-for-point with Masterson's sixth kill of the match forcing a 24-24 tie. The Golden Eagles claimed the next two rallies to take the second set, 26-24, and taking a 2-0 match lead. Werths finished the frame with five kills, generating a .444 hitting clip.

The Golden Eagles finished off the Redhawks with another come-from-behind victory to take the final set, 27-25. Behind throughout the third frame, TTU caught Southeast to tie the match at 20. The Golden Eagles went on to edge the Redhawks, 27-25, sweeping the match. Werths had another explosive set, tallying seven kills with a .545 attack percentage.

Werths finished the match with a team-leading 13 kills, drawing at .346 hitting clip. Gearring and Masterson each accumulated nine kills while Nzingha Clarke closely followed with eight, posting a .353 attack percentage. Jade Mortimer tallied 27 digs while Keegan Fornoff had 33 of the Redhawks 41 assists.

Southeast returns to action Tuesday in a non-conference match against Western Illinois.