HORDING HARDWARE: OTAHKS SHOOT FOR 6TH STRAIGHT TITLE

We often hear in sports of teams going for a repeat or even a `three-peat,' in reference to squads that are out to defend championships.

But a `six-peat?'

Don't laugh. That's what Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball program will be shooting for this season.

The Otahkians have won the past five Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships -- along with six out of the last seven -- and they are favored to make it six in a row this season.

But coach Cindy Gannon said her team will take nothing for granted.

"The OVC has gotten to be a very respected conference in volleyball. The level of play has really improved," said Gannon Thursday as the Otahkians held their annual media day at Houck Field House. "And every team is gunning for us. A lot of them can make their season by beating us.

"We'll have to be ready to play and work hard every night."

But Gannon, whose squad opens the season Tuesday night by playing host to Saint Louis, does concede that the Otahkians certainly should have a good chance to win another OVC title and also to rank among the better teams in school history.

"If how hard this team has worked is any indication, then we have some very good things ahead of us," said Gannon, who has compiled a 234-122 record in nine seasons with the Otahkians and whose squad is 101-15 in OVC play since Southeast moved up to Division I.

"This is such a team. They really want to do it together. They don't really care who is starting. If we keep that attitude, then this could be one of our best teams ever."

The Otahkians lost only one starter from last year's 26-9 team, but that loss was a big one. Setter Tuba Meto completed her career as one of the top volleyball players in Southeast history, earning OVC Player of the Year honors each of the past two seasons.

Taking Meto's place at setter this year will be Indiana State transfer Amy Henken, a junior who is ISU's record-holder for assists in a season.

"Amy is a totally different kind of setter than Tuba, not quite as flashy, but she's very competitive," said Gannon.

Every other key player from last season returns, including six who saw considerable time as starters.

Junior outside hitter Jackie Derwort earned first-team all-OVC honors as she led the Otahkians in kills (530) and digs (453).

"Everybody works so well together. We all feel like a team," Derwort said. "I think we'll be one of the best teams in Southeast history."

Junior middle blocker Angie Aschoff earned second-team all-OVC honors while sophomore outside hitter Krista Haukap was named to the all-OVC newcomer team.

Derwort and Aschoff were both named to the all-OVC preseason first team this year while Haukap made the preseason second team.

"Those three all had outstanding seasons for us last year and we'll be looking for a lot of good things from them again," Gannon said.

The remaining three returning starters are all seniors: outside hitters Kim Aggertt, Mandy Edgington and Cathy Prichard. Aggertt led last year's squad in blocks (93).

Another key player figures to be Clemson transfer Lea Beckemeyer, a sophomore outside hitter.

Three other squad members return and Gannon believes all will have a chance to make strong contributions.

Sophomore middle blocker Rachelle Knapp came on toward the end of last season while sophomore setter Kandi Candelarie saw limited action as Meto's backup. Sophomore outside hitter Erin Holt hopes to bounce back after having her freshman season severely limited by injuries.

The Otahkians' lone freshman is highly-touted middle blocker Lori Lange from St. Louis.

"What I really like about this team is that we are so deep," said Gannon. "All 11 of our returnees and our freshman are really solid. I think they can all help us and, things are so close, we're still trying to come up with a starting lineup."

Southeast will play a challenging schedule that includes tournaments at Illinois, Southwest Missouri and Southern Illinois.

"We have the philosophy that we have to go out and play the best teams that we can," said Gannon. "Our record outside the conference may not be great, but playing some of the best competition in the country prepares us for the OVC.

"Our ultimate goal is to win the conference regular-season title, the conference tournament, get into the NCAA Tournament and then win a first-round match. To do that, we have to see what kind of competition is out there."

Gannon has a new assistant coach this season, Maile Parker, who was an assistant at Mankato State last year.

SEMO Volleyball

1998 Schedule

(Home matches in capital letters)

SEPTEMBER

1 -- SAINT LOUIS, 7 p.m.; 4-5 -- at Illini Classic; 12 -- at Morehead State, 4 p.m.; 13 -- at Eastern Kentucky, 2 p.m.; 18 -- MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 7 p.m.; 19 -- TENNESSEE TECH, 2 p.m.; 22 -- EASTERN ILLINOIS, 7 p.m.; 25-26 -- at Southwest Missouri Invitational; 29 -- SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 7 p.m.

OCTOBER

2 -- EASTERN KENTUCKY, 7 p.m.; 3 -- MOREHEAD STATE, 4 p.m.; 6 -- ARKANSAS STATE, 7 p.m.; 8 -- at Tennessee-Martin, 7 p.m.; 10 -- TENNESSEE STATE, 2 p.m.; 13 -- at Murray State, 7 p.m.; 16-17 -- at Southern Illinois Invitational; 20 -- AUSTIN PEAY, 7 p.m.; 22 -- at Eastern Illinois, 7 p.m.; 31 -- at Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER

1 -- at Tennessee Tech, 1 p.m.; 6 -- at Austin Peay, 7 p.m.; 7 -- at Tennessee State, 2 p.m.; 10 -- at Arkansas State, 7 p.m.; 13 -- MURRAY STATE, 7 p.m.; 14 -- TENNESSEE-MARTIN, 3 p.m.; 21-22 -- Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, TBA