CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri Volleyball opens their season this weekend for the first time at home at Houck Field House. The Redhawks will play host to Arkansas State, Missouri-Kansas City, and Saint Louis in the 2015 Drury Hotels Redhawks Invitational. 

First Ever Home Tournament
Southeast will play two games this Friday, August 28th. They will open at 12 p.m. vs. Arkansas State and take the court again at 7 p.m. vs. Saint Louis. The Redhawks will play their third and final game of the tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m. vs. Missouri-Kansas City. "We are really excited to be hosting our first annual preseason tournament," said coach Julie Yankus. "It is really exciting to be at home the first weekend. It is going to be a very competative tournament. We have three highly respected and highly ranked teams coming in here. It is going to be a battle and it is going to be pretty exciting. It is a great way to start the season to really test what our young players can do."

2014 Season Recap and Returning Members
The Redhawks finished last year 7-9 in OVC play and ended with an overall record of 11-20. In the first round of the OVC Tournament, the Redhawks would end up being eliminated by Murray State. This season, a total of nine players from last year's roster will return to the 2015 squad. Those returning include Taylor Masterson, who was named to the Preseason All-OVC Volleyball team for the second time. Other returning members include senior Haley Roberts, juniors Jade Mortimer, Katarina Rotta, and Madalyn Werths. The returning sophomore class is highlighted by All-OVC Newcomer Nzingha Clarke and includes Krissa Gearring, Jessica Lambert and Jessica McElderry.

Newcomers to the Squad
Marie Less will see her old squad during her first match as a Redhawk. Less is a sophomore transfer from Arkansas State and will help the Redhawks as a outside hitter for the 2015 season. She will also be joined by freshmen Keegan Fornoff and Madeline Grimm, both high school graduates from Joiliet Catholic Academy in Illinois, and Korrine Croft, an Edwardsville High School gradute. The coaching staff will also have a new face, as the Redhawks have added assitant coach Michael Runde. Runde most recently spent his time as a graduate assistant coach at the University of South Dakota, helping lead them to back-to-back 19-win seasons.

OVC Preseason Poll
The Redhawks were picked to finish ninth in the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll. Last season, the Redhawks finished eighth and fell to Murray State in the first round of the OVC Tournament. Taylor Masterson was named to the Preseason All-OVC Volleyball team for the second time.
 
Scouting the Red Wolves
Arkansas State finished third in the Sun Belt Conference in 2014. They posted a 15-5 conference record and a 21-10 overall record. They have been projected to finish third in the preseason poll by the SBC coaches. 2014 SBC Defensive Player of the Year, Junior Markie Schaedig, was named Preseason Defensive Student-Athlete of the year and Preseason All-SBC. The Red Wolves are coached by David Rehr (fourth season).
 
Scouting the 'Roos
Missouri-Kansas City finished 2014 with a 12-2 conference record and 24-6 overall. The Kangaroos claimed their first ever conference title in the Western Athletic Conference and have been voted to repeat in the 2015 WAC polls. Seniors Jessica Hendin, Sydney Crimmins and Taryn Miller were all named to the Preseason All-WAC Team. UMKC is coached by Christi Posey (fifth season).
 
Scouting the Billikens
Saint Louis finished 2014 with a 9-5 conference record in the Atlantic 10 and 21-10 overall. The A-10 volleyball preseason poll selected the Billikens to finish third in 2015. Notable returners include A-10 Rookies of the Year Danielle Rygelski (2013) and Nenye Okoro (2014). The Billikens are coached by Kent Miller (fifth season).
 
2015 Drury Hotels Redhawks Invitational Schedule
Friday, August 28
10 a.m. - Saint Louis vs. Missouri-Kansas City
12 p.m. Southeast Missouri vs. Arkansas State
4:30 p.m. - Missouri-Kansas City vs. Arkansas State
7 p.m. - Southeast Missouri vs. Saint Louis

Saturday, August 29
11 a.m. - Saint Louis vs. Arkansas State
2 p.m. - Southeast Missouri vs. Missouri-Kansas City

*Team listed first will be the designated home team