Coaches, SIDs pick Redhawks to finish fourth in the OVC

The Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason volleyball all-conference team and poll Wednesday, and for the second straight year Southeast Missouri State outside hitter Jessica Koeper made the list.

Koeper, a senior from Jackson, and Redhawks senior setter Jamie Baumstark were each first-team picks.

The Redhawks were ranked fourth for the second straight year in the preseason poll, which is voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors. Southeast finished with an 11-5 conference mark last year, 16-16 overall, and made the OVC tournament semifinals for the first time since 2002.

Last year's OVC regular-season co-champions were one-two in the preseason poll. Eastern Kentucky edged Tennessee State for the top spot, with OVC tournament-champion Jacksonville State close behind in third.

Koeper led the OVC in kills with 495 last season en route to first-team all-OVC honors. Koeper also ranked fifth in the conference in kills per game (4.04) and points per game (4.41).

Baumstark was second-team all-OVC last year and ranked fifth in assists in conference matches (736).

Southeast will begin its season Aug. 26 to 27 at the Ole Miss Invitational in Oxford, Miss.