OTAHKS TURN LIGHTS OUT ON E. ILLINOIS

A power outage knocked out the lights at Houck Field House, then Southeast Missouri State's women's volleyball team delivered a knockout to Eastern Illinois.

Southeast (4-6, 3-0) romped to a straight set win over the team picked to be their most serious challenger for the Ohio Valley Conference title by scores of 15-4, 15-8 and 15-8. Eastern Illinois' record dropped to 6-4 and 2-1 in the conference.

The start was delayed by 1 hour and 20 minutes, but seemed to have no negative effect on the intensity level of the Otahkians.

"I'm very proud of my team for staying as focused as they did despite the adversity of having the lights out and starting the game late," said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon. "I was especially pleased with the composure of Emily Scannell, the Southeast setter, coming in as a freshman in a big match like this."

After falling behind at 3-1 in the opening game, Southeast dominated the Lady Panthers to take a 15-4 decision.

The second set was more closely contested, featuring a couple of long rallies, before the women of Southeast were able to pull away for a 15-8 win.

It seemed that every time Eastern Illinois made a run, Lea Beckemeyer -- last week's OVC Player of the Week -- would make a key contribution with a dig or a kill to turn the momentum back in her team's favor.

Southeast vaulted out to a 8-1 lead in the final set before Eastern Illinois again mounted a couple of runs. Again Beckemeyer stepped up with big plays at key times to stem the tide and allow the Otahkians to pull away to a 15-8 victory and close out the match.

"This game meant a lot to us because we were both tied for the conference lead," said Beckemeyer, "and it's easy to get fired up for a match against this team."

Beckemeyer and Southeast' All-Conference performer Krista Haukap each recorded double-doubles in digs and kills. Beckemeyer had 16 kills and 14 digs, while Haukap had 12 and 10. Scannell chipped in with 10 digs and 38 assists.

Eastern Illinois' first year coach Brenda Winkeler felt her team was its own worst enemy.

"We made far too many mistakes to give ourselves a chance against a good team," Winkeler said. "We'd make a little run and then kill ourselves."

Southeast takes the momentum gained from a three-match win streak on the road to Fresno State this weekend for games against top-caliber California teams such as Santa Clara, San Diego State and host Fresno State.