Sept. 1, 2004

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -

The Southeast Missouri State women's volleyball team opens the 2004 season tonight at home against in-state rival Southwest Missouri State in the Houck Fieldhouse at 7:00 p.m.

This is the first match-up between the rivals since 2002 with SMS 12-2 all-time against Southeast. The Bears have won the last three meetings, but they have not faced each other since the 2002 season.

Southeast looks to rebound from a disappointing 2003 season in which they finished 11-19 and finished tied for third place in the Ohio Valley Conference after being the preseason No. 1 pick. This year's team returns six players including three starters and welcoming in six newcomers to a team that was picked to finish fifth in the 2004 OVC preseason poll.

The SMS Bears finished first in the Missouri Valley Conference last season with a record of 27-6, including a 17-1 mark in conference action. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 1993 and spent four weeks in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25.