Oct. 31, 2009

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Saturday, October 31, 2009) – The Redhawks volleyball team didn’t need any tricks or any treats, just old-fashion defense to defeat Ohio Valley Conference rival UT Martin 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 27-25) at Houck Field House on Saturday afternoon. The Redhawks held the visiting Skyhawks to a .035 attack percentage, the best defensive effort by the Redhawks this season.

The Skyhawks (7-18, 2-13 OVC) managed just 23 kills while committing 19 attack errors. The Redhawks (10-15, 6-8 OVC) on the other hand finished with a .244 attack percentage. It was the tenth time this season the Redhawks have finished with an attack percentage over .200 and the third time in four matches.

The Redhawks jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead before the Skyhawks rallied a took a 11-9 lead. The teams would exchange leads. After the Skyhawks tied the set at 18-18, the Redhawks responded with a 7-0 run to end the set. Five of the seven points came from attack errors by the Skyhawks as they finished with a -.125 attack percentage.

The second set was all Redhawks as they jumped ahead 5-0 and never looked back. Emily Hughes (St. Benedict/Memphis, Tenn.) ended the set with a kill for the 11-point win. 18 of the Redhawks 25 points came by kill as they recorded a .457 attack percentage in the set.

The third and final set was a highly competitive and entertaining affair as it featured 11 ties and seven lead changes. The Skyhawks led late and held a 21-18 advantage before the Redhawks chipped away at the lead and tied the set at 23. The Skyhawks won the next point and were serving for set point until the Redhawks recorded the side out. The Redhawks would then go on a 3-0 run highlighted by Karleigh DeLong’s (Santiago/Corona, Calif.) match-winning kill.

With the three-set win the Redhawks extended their home winning streak over the Skyhawks to eight-straight at Houck Field House. The Redhawks improved their record against the Skyhawks to 29-1 at Houck.

DeLong led all players with 16 kills including nine in the final set. She finished with a season-high .368 attack percentage. She also added nine digs, two service aces and four block assists.

Hughes added ten kills and a match-high .381 attack percentage. Defensively she matched DeLong with four block assists.

Emily Maher (Marcus/Flower Mound, Texas.) added nine kills and finished with a .364 attack percentage.

Sarah Barth (Central Community/Germantown, Ill.) handed out a match-high 37 assists and chipped in seven digs.

Molly Davis (Burris/Muncie, Ind.) led the defensive effort with 14 digs. Claire Keaton (Incarnate Word Academy/St. Louis, Mo.) added 13 digs to go with her seven kills.

The Skyhawks were led by Lauren Montague and Britany Wilburn who each finished with six kills. Montague led the team with 12 digs.

The Redhawks return to action on Nov. 3 as they travel to SIU Edwardsville. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.