Sept. 2, 2010

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.- The Southeast Missouri volleyball team is set to play in the JQH Invitational this weekend in Springfield, Mo.

The Redhawks already have a tournament title under their belt, after winning the Hotels at Grand Prairie Invitational, hosted by Bradley. The team lost its first match of the season to USC Upstate 3-1, but bounced back, beating Western Illinois and Bradley to capture the title. Freshman Julie Shives was named OVC Setter of the Week after dishing out 114 assists. She was also named to the All-Tournament team, and was joined by teammates Kelly Benacka, and MVP Claire Keaton.

Southeast hopes to improve on its 2-1 record, but Head Coach Renata Heard and her squad will play a stiff competition. North Carolina and Ohio hold a 2-1 record on the season, while host Missouri State is undefeated at 3-0.

Southeast is 1-0 against North Carolina, defeating them 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Novemeber 30,2000. Krista Haukap recorded a school record 36 kills in the match, as the Redhawks advanced to the second round. The Tarheels finished 15-16 last season, but head coach Joe Sagula returns seven letterwinners from last season. Sagula is in his 20th season as the head coach, owning a 396-262 record with the Atlantic Coast Conference school.

The matchup against Ohio will be the first meeting between the two schools, while Southeast will look to improve on their 2-7 record against the Bears of Missouri State. The Redhawks have lost the last six meetings versus the Bears, with the last victory coming in 1998, when they won 3-0.

The Bobcats were 27-7 last season, and head coach Ryan Theis returns nine letterwinners to his squad. He has a 51-15 record in three seasons as the coach.

Host Missouri State finished 21-10 during the 2009 campaign under Melissa Stokes. In her 14 seasons as the head coach, she has compiled a 314-145 record, and returns nine letterwinners.

Live stats are available from Hammons Student Center. Live Stats