Southeast Missouri State volleyball team struggles to finish off Louisiana Tech

There was likely a little bit of regret in the locker room following the Southeast Missouri State volleyball team's final match of the Redhawks Invitational on Saturday.

The Redhawks were a mere three points away from sweeping Louisiana Tech in straight sets before the Bulldogs siezed momentum and rallied for a 3-2 (20-25, 17-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-9) victory at the Show Me Center.

Southeast wrapped up its season-opening home invitational with a second-place finish based on set differential, but it wasn't the sort of finish sixth-year coach Julie Yankus and her players had in mind.

"I think we relaxed a little bit after that second set because we took such a commanding win that our team kind of backed off, and we just thought we kind of had it," Yankus said. "We need to remain focused during that break time and make sure we know that every team is going to push us to that limit regardless of what happens that previous set.

"We've got to make sure we remain focused through that break and continue to push back."

Southeast Missouri State outside hitter Madeline Grimm spikes the ball past Louisiana Tech's Alexa Lister during the first set Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Fred Lynch

Southeast (1-2) never trailed in the first two sets but found itself behind for the most of the third set. An ace from Krissa Gearring gave the Redhawks a 22-21 advantage, but Alexa Lister responded with a kill that triggered a 4-0 run for LTU (1-2) to close out the set and trim Southeast's lead to 2-1.

The Redhawks fell behind early in the fourth set before tying things up at 5-all on a kill from Mikayla Kuhlmann, but they were never able to take the lead. A kill by Nia Myah Johnson gave the Bulldogs their largest lead at 22-14 before the visitors secured the set to even the match at 2-2.

Yankus credited ball control as one of LTU's biggest adjustments in the second half of the match, thus allowing the outside hitters to have more confidence in their attack.

"They basically played with no fear, I felt like, after that break," Yankus said. "They thought, 'We have nothing to lose,' and really went after it. They really swung aggressively, and we just didn't respond very well. Our block just didn't set up properly most of the time, and we've really got to continue to work on that this week."

Southeast was never able to sustain its early advantage in the decisive fifth set, as three consecutive kills by Johnson gave LTU a 6-5 lead it never relinquished. The Redhawks cut their deficit to 10-8 on a tap kill by Jessica McElderry, but the Bulldogs answered with a 5-1 spurt, securing the match point on a kill from Alyssa Wolslegel.

Southeast was paced by a host of juniors, including Gearring, who led all players on the court with 19 kills to go along with 12 digs, three aces and three blocks.

"She really attacked the block and swung fearlessly, which is great," Yankus said about Gearring. "She passes for us. They served her every ball, too, so she really does it all.

Southeast Missouri State's Krissa Gearring, left, Nzingha Clarke and Rachel Poole watch the ball hit by Louisiana Tech during the first set Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Fred Lynch

"I'm excited to see how far she's come along. She's always been a great performer for us, but she's really stepping it up for us this year."

Gearring's presence on the outside proved to be the difference in the first set, as the Redhawks raced out to a 7-1 lead and never looked back. LTU pulled within three points at 22-19 before Southeast went on a 3-1 run to secure the set and take a 1-0 lead. Gearring led the way with six kills in the set.

At 5-foot-8, Gearring's vertical leap is a defining element to her game, and it's one of the first things that stands out to Yankus.

"She can get up, and that's the biggest thing," Yankus said. "... She just really swings aggressively. Even when the block is there, she can tool off them, so we've really practiced that."

The Redhawks led by as many as 12 points in the second set and were never threatened.

Two other juniors -- outside hitter Marie Less and middle blocker Nzingha Clarke -- reached double figures in kills. The 5-11 Less finished with 10 kills and 15 digs, while the 6-1 Clarke added 12 kills and four blocks.

Yankus said she appreciates the vocal leadership and mild temperament from Less, who's in her second year with the program after transferring from Arkansas State.

Southeast Missouri State middle blocker Alyssa McElderry hits the ball against Louisiana Tech's Alexa Lister during the first set Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Fred Lynch

"We kind of tried some different things but had to put her back in because she just runs the floor well," Yankus said. "She kind of keeps the flow of the game going. The team is calm when she's out there. She's very talkative. She's a good leader and just kind of does everything well."

Former Woodland standout and Jefferson College transfer Rachel Poole, a junior setter, had a match-high 44 assists for Southeast. Senior libero Jade Mortimer added a team-high 19 digs.

Led by 14 kills from senior Angela Papach and 10 kills from redshirt junior Marta Monne, the Bulldogs finished with a .217 attack percentage, while Southeast had a .160 attack percentage.

Much of LTU's offense was set up by an impressive outing from freshman Jacie McClure, who led all players with 29 digs.

"That was what was so frustrating for our offense was that we're swinging as hard as we can. We think a ball's down, and all of a sudden, they touch it and get it up. And we're on the sidelines like, 'You're kidding me,'" Yankus said. "... That really frustrates an offense when you're swinging aggressively every single time, and no matter what you seem to do, they're getting it up. And eventually you make an error."

The Redhawks opened the tournament with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-11) win over New Orleans on Friday before tournament champion Illinois-Chicago upended Southeast 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17) in the nightcap.

Gearring notched 26 kills and 10 digs in the victory over New Orleans, while Clarke added eight kills and two blocks. Mortimer earned her 1,000th career dig during the match, finishing with 19 digs and five assists.

Southeast Missouri State's Rachel Poole sets the ball against Louisiana Tech during the first set Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Fred Lynch

In the loss to UIC, Gearring led the Redhawks with 18 kills and 10 digs, while Mortimer contributed 21 digs and Poole notched 31 assists.

As the season gets underway, Yankus finds herself in the thick of establishing a rhythm for her team.

Southeast, which was 10-20 a year ago, was picked to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll and returns a unit that features six juniors and only two seniors.

All but two Redhawks saw action during the two-day tournament, which Yankus said was "a great way to start the year."

"It's definitely a learning experience for us, and we are young," Yankus said. "Being at home, the girls don't have to miss school the first week of class. They can really, academically feel kind of safe and not worry about traveling right away.

"They were so excited to play at the Show Me Center this weekend. We had some great fans, especially Friday night's match. We had a big crowd, which really helps fire our team up. They love playing in front of a supportive group of people. It's good to have that first weekend at home, and hopefully you get that home-court advantage to work your way and then get prepared to get on the road for the next few weeks."