Redhawks Open Popcorn Classic with 3-0 Loss to Valparaiso

Friday, September 9

Valparaiso, Ind.

12:30PM

Southeast Missouri State University

1-7

Valparaiso

5-2

Team	1	2	3	Final F
SE Missouri State	19	19	19	0
Valparaiso	25	25	25	3

Photo by: Marc Mahnke

9/9/2016 2:57:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score PDF Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Southeast Missouri volleyball (1-7) fell in three sets to tournament host Valparaiso University (5-2) to open play at the 2016 Popcorn Classic Friday (19-25, 19-25, 19-25).

Krissa Gearring recorded a double-double in the match with 16 kills and 14 digs. It's her sixth double-double of the season and second in as many matches. Maria Less also picked up a double-double, her second of the season, with 10 kills and 15 digs.

The Redhawks had four players with double-digit digs in the match with Less leading the way with 15. On the net, Jessica McElderry had four blocks while Madeline Grimm and Nzingha Clarke each had three.

As a team, the Redhawks were out-hit .211-.089, committing 22 errors, seven more than the Crusaders. Southeast was also out-blocked, 9-7, as a team.

Set one was one-sided early in favor of the Crusaders but the Redhawks used a five-point run to tie it up at nine. Southeast had a couple one-point leads but struggled to string a bigger lead together. Tied at 14, Valpo used an 8-1 run to open a 22-15 lead on the Redhawks which they used to cruise to the opening set victory, 25-19.

Gearring led the way for Southeast in the frame with a match-high eight kills as Katarina Rotta registered 13 assists.

Down 15-10 in the second set, the Redhawks strung six points together to take a 16-15 lead on the Crusaders. Tied at 19, Valparaiso took the final six rallies to wrap up the set, 25-19, and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Southeast led much of the third set but the Crusaders stayed close on the Redhawks' tails, never letting Southeast take much of a lead. Southeast found themselves up 15-13, holding off Valpo for the first half of the set, but a five-point run gave the Crusaders an 18-15 advantage. Up 22-19, Valpo clinched the match with the final three points to take the third and final set, 25-19.

Rotta finished the match with 24 assists but did not play the final set. Rachel Poole stepped in and picked up eight assists in set three.

Katherine Carlson and Lexie Bouza each had a team-best 10 kills for Valpo.

Southeast Missouri is back in action at the Popcorn Classic Saturday. SEMO takes on Duquesne at 10 a.m. then will face Central Michigan at 4 p.m.

The remainder of the tournament will no longer be played at the ARC on the campus of Valparaiso University. Instead, it will be played out at The Courts of NWI. The facility is located at 127 East US Highway 6, Valparaiso, IN 46383.