SAINT LOUIS, Mo.— Southeast Missouri State (7-4) took both matches on Friday afternoon in the 'Missouri Challenge' with victories over Kansas City (3-0) and Missouri State (3-2). 
 
Junior outside hitter Lucy Arndt finished the first match of the day with 11 kills, putting her in the 1,000 career kills club following the match with Kansas City. She then turned in a season-high 23 kills against Missouri State in the second match of the day. Arndt now has 1,025 kills for her career. 
 
Missouri State
Set 1  
- Southeast Missouri State took the first set 28-26 after trailing in the early stages.  
- Lucy Arndt led the way for the Redhawks with several crucial kills, including the set-winning point.  
- Marin Johnson contributed multiple kills, keeping the team in the match during key moments.  
- The Bears stayed competitive with Rilynn Finley adding significant kills to maintain pressure.  
- The set featured multiple lead changes, reflecting the tight competition between the teams.
 
Set 2  
- The Redhawks gained an early advantage with a 5-1 run, highlighted by a service ace from Riley Ourth.  
- Nina Schuberth contributed a service ace as the team built a 7-2 lead. 
- The Bears responded with a 6-1 run to tie the set at 10-10, including a service ace by Rossana Papa.  
- Grace Smith recorded multiple key kills, aiding Missouri State to a late lead.  
- Missouri State secured the set 25-21 after a close contest, benefiting from a decisive kill by Peyton McKee.
 
Set 3
- Missouri State took an early 3-0 lead with two kills from Hannah Gardner.
- The Redhawks narrowed the gap to 3-2 with a kill by Katherine St. John.
- Arndt contributed three kills for Southeast, helping them stay competitive.
- Missouri State extended their lead to 13-11 with a series of three consecutive kills by McKee.
- Southeast tied the set at 8-8 with a service ace from Megan Holder.
- Missouri State closed the set with a 25-21 victory, highlighted by a service ace and a kill by Gardner.
 
Set 4  
- The Redhawks secured the set with a 25-21 win, aided by a crucial kill from Arndt.  
- Holder contributed significantly with multiple assists, setting up key points for Southeast.  
- Alaina Lester and Reagan Nelson each delivered impactful kills, keeping Southeast ahead in the scoreline.  
- Missouri State narrowed the gap with a late surge, tying the score at several points, but Southeast regained control to close out the set.  
- The Redhawks capitalized on Missouri State's errors, including attack and service errors, to maintain their lead.  
 
Set 5  
- The Redhawks secured the set 15-12 to win the match 3-2.  
- Holder contributed significantly with four assists and one service ace for the team.  
- Arndt tallied two key kills for Southeast, including the set-clinching point. 
- Finley led Missouri State with three kills during the set.  
- The Redhawks benefitted from strong blocking, recording two blocks that resulted in attack errors for the Bears.
 
SEMO Top Performers
Lucy Arndt  
-----------------  
- 23 kills  
- two service aces  
- five digs  
- 26.5 points  
 
Nina Schuberth  
-----------------  
- 21 digs  
- four assists  
- three service aces  
 
Megan Holder  
-----------------  
- 32 assists  
- six digs  
- two service aces  
 
Ramiri Gardner  
-----------------  
- nine kills  
- two digs  
- 10 points  
 
Game Notes:
- Arndt had a season-high 23 kills against Missouri State. 
- The Redhawks and Bears have played back-to-back five set matches. This season, Southeast won 3-2. 
 
Kansas City
Set 1  
- Southeast Mo. St. secured a 25-16 victory, marking a strong start.  
- Marin Johnson led the offensive effort with multiple kills, including three key points.  
- Southeast Mo. St. recorded four service aces, contributing to their dominant performance.  
- Ramiri Gardner added crucial kills, maintaining the visiting team's momentum.  
- The Roos struggled with attack errors, impacting their ability to close the gap.
 
Set 2
- Southeast Missouri State opened the set with a 3-0 run, featuring a kill by Lucy Arndt.  
- Kara Oxenknecht contributed three kills, enhancing SEMO's offensive momentum.  
- Reagan Nelson and Megan Holder each delivered a service ace, adding key points for SEMO.  
- KC closed the gap with a late push, scoring 20 points, but SEMO secured the set 25-20.
 
Set 3
- Southeast Mo. St. captured the set 25-23 to secure a 3-0 match victory. 
- Lucy Arndt contributed significantly with multiple kills, particularly in critical moments.  
- Nelson added key service aces, including two consecutive to push SEMO's lead to 15-12.  
- Johnson delivered impactful kills, including the set-winning point at 24-23.  
- Alandry Below facilitated numerous assists, setting up pivotal plays throughout the set.  
 
SEMO Top Performers
Lucy Arndt  
-----------------  
- 11 kills (.243 hitting percentage)  
- 11 digs  
- two service aces  
- 13.5 points  
 
Alandry Below  
-----------------  
- 14 assists  
- three digs  
- one service ace  
 
Reagan Nelson  
-----------------  
- four service aces  
- nine digs  
 
Megan Holder  
-----------------  
- 15 assists  
- 11 digs  
- one service ace  
 
Marin Johnson  
-----------------  
- 10 kills (.269 hitting percentage)  
- four digs  
- 10 points  
 
Game Notes:
- Lucy Arndt joined the 1,000 kills club with 11 kills against the Roos. She now has 1,002 career kills.
 
Looking ahead, Southeast Mo. St.'s volleyball team face Saint Louis on Saturday, September 20. The match is set for 3 p.m. in Saint Louis, Mo.