Aug. 4, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Thursday, August 04, 2005) The Southeast Missouri State volleyball program is still looking for former players to play in an exhibition match against the current squad of Redhawks volleyball players. The match is slated to start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20.

Lunch will be provided for all volleyball alumni that participate in the match. Those interested should contact head coach Renata Nowacki at (573) 986-6140 or email her at rtnowacki@semo.edu.

The match will also give alumni the chance to see the program compete as the Redhawks for the first time and to meet the current players and new coaching staff as well as catch-up with other alumni.

First year head coach Renata Nowacki hopes that this is the beginning of a new and exciting tradition in the rich history of the Southeast volleyball program.

The Redhawks return nine letterwinners, including six starters from a squad that 11-17, but went 9-7 in OVC play to finish fourth in the conference. The team came on strong after a tough non-conference schedule to win 10 of their final 14 regular season matches.

Leading the returnees is 2nd Team All-OVC selection Jessica Koeper (Jackson, MO/Jackson). She led the team with 17 double-doubles last season. She finished fourth in the OVC with 3.96 kills per game and led the team averaging 4.19 points per game.

Seniors Lauren Scannell (Belleville, IL/Southwestern Illinois College) and Jill Miller (Muncie, IN/Muncie Central) provide solid play and leadership.

Scannell started every game last season as the team's libero. She finished second in the OVC in digs averaging 4.90 per game. Her 505 digs last season were the second most digs in a season at Southeast. Scannell recorded double digits in digs in every game but two last season. She also recorded 30 or more digs in three matches.

Miller made the successful transition from the team's starting libero in 2003 to the team's starting outside hitter last season. She continued her strong defensive play and showed off her offensive game as evidenced by her 15 double-doubles.

Like Miller, junior setter Jamie Baumstark (Hermann, MO/Hermann) also made a successful position switch. Baumstark filled the shoes of Southeast great Emily Scannell by averaging 10.72 assists per game. Baumstark recorded 12 assist-dig double-doubles last season and came close to recording a triple-double on a number of occasions. She also proved dangerous from the service line finishing with 59 aces, sixth best on the school's single season chart.

Sophomores Brittany Hastings (Wichita, KS/Circle H.S.), Brenna Schlader (Columbia, MO/Hickman) and Shannon Muesenfechter (Florissant, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) all received valuable playing time last season as freshmen and will look to improve on their first campaigns.

Fellow sophomores Sirma Ozenir (Izmir, Turkey/Izmir Karsiyaka) and Linden Hahs (Jackson, MO/Jackson) will also see more playing time and will provide valuable depth.

The team will further be boosted by three newcomers who will all challenge for immediate playing time.

The Redhawks open their regular season at the Missouri State Tournament in Springfield, Missouri August 27-28.