CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri women's volleyball head coach Julie Yankus captured her 150th win at SEMO Friday as the Redhawks (6-2) opened their 2021 SEMO Invitational with a pair of victories over Marshall (2-6) and Memphis (6-1).
 
SEMO beat Marshall in four (18-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-15) in the morning before overcoming previously undefeated Memphis in a five-set (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 24-26, 15-13) Friday night thriller.
 
The Redhawks have now won the last three meetings against Memphis. SEMO has handed the Tigers their first loss of the season both in 2021 and in 2019. In 2019, the Redhawks beat Memphis, on Sept. 21, to halt their undefeated run at 11 and win the 2019 Beale Street Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
Laney Malloy led the Redhawks offense with 41 kills and added 31 digs over the two matches including a career-best double-double of 25 kills and 23 digs in the night cap with Memphis.
 
Claire Ochs dished out 87 assists and 28 digs Friday including 49 assists to complement 19 digs against Memphis. She opened the tournament with 38 as SEMO hit at a pace of .274 versus Marshall.
 
Tara Beilsmith paced the SEMO defense Friday, tallying 64. She compiled a career-best 39 in the evening session against Memphis, after posting 25 versus Marshall.
 
Ally Dion and Kayla Closset shored up the defensive unit with 21 and 19 total digs, respectively, Friday. The duo each had 14 against Memphis. Dion and Malloy both finished the opening day of the tournament with four aces.
 
Megan Harris, a freshman defensive specialist from Nesbit, Mississippi, hauled in a personal-best four digs against Memphis.
 
Zoey Beasley totaled 24 kills including 13 against Marshall. Talia Gouard chipped in 17 kills on a .308 hitting clip over the two matches (9 and 8).
 
Caroline Draver, a senior from Shorewood, Wisconsin, was perfect on both her swings down the stretch of the Marshall match.
 
Mackenzie Meehan, a transfer from Radford, made her SEMO debut Friday and appeared in her first starting lineup as a Redhawk against Memphis. She finished with three kills and four blocks Friday over the two matches. 
 
Yankus improved her SEMO record to 150-161 in her 11th season at the helm of the Southeast Missouri program with a pair of triumphs Friday. 
 
The Redhawks close out the 2021 SEMO Invitational Saturday evening against Arkansas State at 7 p.m., CT on Patriot Day – First Responder & Military Appreciation Day.
 
All first responders and military personnel receive complimentary admission (up to four free tickets) Saturday. The first 200 fans in attendance to SEMO's match against Arkansas State on Saturday will receive a free flag-themed Redhawk shirt courtesy of Burrito-Ville.
 
Saturday, Sept. 11 – SEMO Invitational Schedule
Match 5 – Kansas City vs. Memphis – 10:30 a.m. | Live Stats
Match 6 – Marshall vs. Arkansas State – 1:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Match 7 – Memphis vs. Marshall – 4:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Match 8 – SEMO vs. Arkansas State – 7 p.m. | Live Stats | ESPN+