Sept. 12, 2006

Southern Illinois Match Notes
Download Free Acrobat Reader

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -

Match 11

Southeast Missouri State (5-6) vs. Southern Illinois (4-5)
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006 - 7 p.m.
Davies Gymnasium - Carbondale, Ill.
Series History: Southern Illinois leads 15-9

This Week: Southeast Missouri State volleyball heads into the final match of its nearly month-long, season-opening road swing with a Tuesday contest against Southern Illinois at SIU's Davies Gymnasium with a start time of 7 p.m. The Salukis are the first of two Missouri Valley Conference teams to face on the Redhawks take on this season. Southeast welcomes another Missouri Valley Conference team Bradley in their home opener on Sept. 20 at Houck Fieldhouse.

Scouting The Redhawks: Southeast brings a 5-6 season record into Tuesday's contest against the Salukis after winning the Tiger Invitational last weekend in Memphis, Tenn. The Redhawks posted victories over the host Tigers (3-0), UALR (3-2), Louisiana Tech (3-1) and Lipscomb (3-1) to capture their first regular-season tournament title under head coach Renata Nowacki. Leading the Redhawks is senior outside hitter Jessica Koeper, who has recorded a team-best 186 kills (4.23 kpg) this season. Koeper has also produced a team-best nine double-doubles on the year. Senior setter Jamie Baumstark paces Southeast's offense with a 10.39 assist-per-game average and three triple-doubles. Freshman libero Molly Davis is tied with Koeper for the team lead in digs with 138 (3.73 dpg), while leading the Redhawks with eight seven service aces (0.22 sapg).

Scouting The Salukis: Southern Illinois continues its home stretch with a mid-week match against Southeast and holds a record of 4-5 on the year. At the Saluki Invitational last weekend, the Salukis gained wins over Austin Peay (3-0) and Belmont (3-0) while suffering a three-game loss to Belmont. Senior Johannah Lutzy leads SIU with 102 kills (3.19 kpg) and is second on the team with 37 blocks (five solo, 32 assisted - 1.17 bpg) this season. Sophomore Erika Bartruff leads the Salukis with 271 assists (8.74 apg) and six service aces (0.19 sapg), while sophomore Kristy Elswick has tallied a team-leading 163 digs (5.09 dpg). Freshman Chandra Roberson is tops among the SIU blocking leaders with 42 (eight solo, 34 assisted - 1.31 apg). The Salukis are guided by second-year head coach Brenda Winkeler, who has produced a 14-23 record during her tenure at SIU.

Series History: Southern Illinois holds a 15-9 lead in the all-time series with Southeast. The Redhawks, however, hold a 6-5 margin in matches played at SIU's Davies Gym, which includes a 3-0 win during the 2004 season. The Salukis won last season's meeting at Houck Fieldhouse in a thrilling five-game affair.

Koeper Named OVC Offensive Player of the Week: Senior outside hitter Jessica Koeper was named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. This is the second weekly accolade in Koeper's career and she is the first Redhawk to earn the honor this season. The 5-11 outside hitter from Jackson, Mo., was named to the all-tournament team at the Tiger Invitational after averaging 5.94 kills per game, including a career-high 28 kills against UALR and Lipscomb.

Baumstark Earns MVP Honors: Senior setter Jamie Baumstark was rewarded for her play at the Tiger Invitational last weekend as she was named tournament MVP. It is the first such honor for Baumstark, who posted averages of 11.81 assists and 2.44 kills at the invite. She recorded her third triple-double of the season in the tournament opener against UALR with a season-high 54 assists, 12 digs and 11 kills.

Making a Little History: The Redhawks captured their first regular-season tournament title in more than seven years after winning the Tiger Invitational last weekend in Memphis. Southeast's last in-season tourney crown came at the Missouri Tiger Invitational during the 1999 season.

Up Next: Southeast heads to the friendly confines of Houck Fieldhouse on Sept. 20 to take on Bradley in its home opener with a start time of 7 p.m. The Redhawks then open OVC play on Sept. 22 with a 7 p.m. contest against Tennessee-Martin.