CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Southeast Missouri Volleyball (12-7) defeated Southern Illinois (8-12) in four sets at Houck Field House on Tuesday night, with scores of 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, and 25-13. The Redhawks recorded 53 kills and a .298 hitting percentage, led by effective play across four sets.
First Set
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Reagan Nelson started strong for Southeast Mo. St. with a pair of early kills, contributing to a 3-1 lead.
- Southern Ill. responded with a 4-0 run, highlighted by two kills from Annabelle Sulish, taking the lead at 5-3.
- A blocking sequence by
Alaina Lester and Nelson helped the Redhawks regain momentum, extending their lead to 14-9.
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Lucy Arndt and Katherine St. John delivered crucial kills, guiding the team to close out the set 25-19.
Second Set
- SIU started strong with a 4-1 lead, fueled by kills from Cecilia Bulmahn and Larissa Seger.
- Nelson contributed two key kills, helping SEMO narrow the gap to 9-8.
- Seger recorded three consecutive service aces, extending SIU's lead to 18-12.
- The Redhawks rallied late, finishing the set on a 7-1 run with a service ace by Nelson, securing a 25-22 victory.
Third Set
- Southern Illinois surged to a 7-0 lead, powered by two service aces and a kill from Sulish.
- Southeast Missouri State responded with a 3-point run, including a service ace by Nelson.
- Arndt contributed key points with two kills and a service ace, helping SEMO close the gap to 19-19.
- SIU secured the set 25-22, with Kelly Franklin's kill and a final service ace concluding the set.
Fourth Set
- SEMO started strong with a 7-1 run, featuring kills by
Marin Johnson and Arndt.
- Nelson contributed significantly with multiple kills, including one assisted by
Megan Holder, pushing the lead to 15-6.
- The Salukis struggled with attack errors, allowing the home team to maintain a comfortable lead.
- Johnson secured the set for SEMO with a decisive kill, finalizing the score at 25-13.
SEMO Top Performers
Lucy Arndt
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- 12 kills with a .345 hitting percentage
- 13 digs
- 2 service aces
Megan Holder
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- 23 assists
- 10 digs
Alaina Lester
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- 8 kills with a .357 hitting percentage
- 8 assisted blocks
Reagan Nelson
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- 19 kills
- 17 digs
- 23 points total
Game Notes:
- Freshman Nelson finished with a career high 19 kills against the Salukis. Tuesday marked her second-straight match with 15+ kills.
In their next game, SEMO will travel to Charleston, Ill., to face Eastern Illinois. The match is set to begin on October 17 at 6 p.m.
