Morehead State sweeps Redhawks

Southeast Missouri State volleyball coach Renata Nowacki blamed a lack of execution more than a rash of injuries for Saturday's loss.

Morehead State, the preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorite, left Houck Field House with a 25-18, 27-25, 25-21 victory.

Southeast, which finished in a three-way tie for last year's OVC regular-season title, fell to 3-5 overall and 1-1 in league play.

MSU, which also shared the 2007 OVC regular-season crown, improved to 11-2 and 2-0.

"They're a very disciplined team," Nowacki said. "We had several opportunities. ... We never executed the easy things we need to execute."

Four Southeast starters, including two all-conference performers, have been hampered by injuries that have forced them to miss significant action so far.

All four have returned to the court, but it was obvious Saturday that outside hitters Karleigh DeLong and Aubrey Dondlinger still are not at full strength.

Southeast's kill leaders from last season combined for just eight kills.

DeLong, first-team all-OVC in 2007, had five kills.

Dondlinger, a member of the 2007 all-OVC newcomer team and like DeLong a preseason all-league pick for this year, had three kills.

"No excuses," said Nowacki, who added that the rash of injuries have prevented the Redhawks from getting in consistent practices.

"We were one dimensional today in our offense," Nowacki said. "That didn't help."

Sophomore middle Emily Hughes led Southeast with 10 kills.

Junior setter Sarah Barth, who also has missed time with an injury, had 21 assists. Junior libero Molly Davis led in digs with 17.

Senior all-conference hitter Erin Peak and freshman Emma Keough paced MSU with 11 kills apiece.

Southeast had an attack percentage of just .097, while MSU hit .163.

"It was a tough match overall," said Nowacki, whose squad rallied from two games down to beat Eastern Kentucky in Friday's OVC opener.

The Redhawks conclude a three-match OVC homestand at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Tennessee-Martin.