CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Southeast Missouri Volleyball (18-12, 10-6 OVC) defeated Western Ill. (7-22, 4-12 OVC) in straight sets, 25-16, 25-15, 25-18, at Houck Field House on Friday. The Redhawks recorded a .309 hitting percentage, leading to the decisive victory.
First Set
- SEMO took an early lead with a kill by
Ramiri Gardner, leveling the score at 2-2.
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Nina Schuberth provided a momentum shift with a service ace, extending the lead to 6-4.
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Kara Oxenknecht contributed significantly with multiple kills, aiding in a 5-1 run to push the score to 11-5.
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Lucy Arndt closed the set with a decisive kill, giving the Redhawks a 25-16 victory.
Second Set
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Marin Johnson initiated the set with a kill, assisted by
Alandry Below, giving SEMO an early advantage.
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Avery Torrey and Oxenknecht each contributed kills to widen the lead for the home team to 6-2.
- The Leathernecks closed the gap to 6-5 with a service ace from Grace Ulatowski and a block by Elizabeth Ziegler and Grace Kremer.
- SEMO pulled away with a series of service aces from Below and Schuberth, pushing the score to 24-12.
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Mackenzie Tucker sealed the set with a kill, assisted by
Megan Holder, concluding the set at 25-15.
Third Set
- SEMO opened with a strong 6-1 run, featuring kills from Johnson and Arndt.
- Schuberth contributed significantly with two service aces and a kill in a crucial stretch, extending the lead to 15-5.
- Oxenknecht and Katherine St. John added key blocks, maintaining the advantage despite Western Illinois' attempts to close the gap.
- Southeast Missouri sealed the set 25-18 on a kill by St. John, completing a 3-0 match victory.
SEMO Top Performers
Kara Oxenknecht
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- 8 kills on 14 attempts with a .571 hitting percentage
- 6 total blocks
- 11.5 points
Nina Schuberth
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- 5 service aces
- 16 digs
- 5 points
Katherine St. John
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- 9 kills on 15 attempts with a .600 hitting percentage
- 4 total blocks
- 11 points
Alandry Below
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- 15 assists
- 2 service aces
- 3 points
Looking ahead, the Redhawks will face SIUE on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. at Edwardsville, Illinois.
