CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri women's volleyball team (2-16, 1-3) fell to SIUE (11-4, 4-0) on Saturday afternoon in a five-set affair (25-18, 22-25, 24-26, 25-16, 11-15).
 
Southeast fell in the match despite outhitting the Cougars by 52 points. Southeast laid down 15 more kills and picked up nearly 20 more digs defensively.

"We played with a lot of grit today and I'm really proud of their mental toughness," Julie Yankus said. "I hope the team gained some confidence this weekend because we played very well. Five-set matches are really tough because a couple of points can determine the outcome after you have battled so hard the previous four sets. We remained focused and played aggressive even when the match was on the line. I'm very proud of the team after this weekend and I believe we will continue playing at this level as we move through conference play."
 
Individually, the Redhawks were led by a 26-kill performance by Krissa Gearring. Gearring also picked up 13 digs. It was her 12^th double-double of the season.
 
Madeline Grimm (14) and Nzingha Clarke (12) also turned in double-digit kill performances.
 
After dishing out 41 assists in three sets on Friday, Katarina Rotta totaled 58 on Saturday. She laid down six kills and dug seven balls. She also picked up a pair of services aces.

"Kat did a great job leading the team today. She continued to push our offense and find our hot hitters. I'm really proud of her contributions this weekend," Yankus concluded. 
 
For the fourth time this season, the Redhawks claimed set one. The Redhawks cruised to a 25-18 opening-set win. Up 12-9, the Redhawks used a six-point run to open a healthy 18-9 lead. The Redhawks hit a match-high .306 in the opening set.
 
Tied at 10, SIUE began to open a substantial lead on the Redhawks in the second set. SIUE led by as much as seven points in the set, eventually claiming a 25-22 victory.

SIUE held advantage throughout the third frame, but were unable to create any substantial distance from the Redhawks. Battling valiantly, SEMO overtook SIUE 24-23. The Cougars were able to regain momentum at the last second, however, and went on to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

With their back against the ropes, the Redhawks banded together to coast to a 25-16 victory to force a fifth and decisive set. Southeast sported their second highest hitting clip at .275 while a strong net presence forced SIUE to hit a team low .077.

Southeast continued their momentum early in the final frame, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. SIUE would regroup and finish off SEMO 15-11 in a set which saw three ties and only one lead change.

The Redhawks return to action in a midweek contest on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. at UT Martin.