Cougars Head To Cornhusker State For Tourney

EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. -- SIUE Volleyball coach Todd Gober is looking forward to his teams first games at the Nebraska-Omaha Tournament this weekend, but he also has some question marks on his squad.
         "Our team is pushing each other and three days before the first tournament we still need to settle some position issues," said Gober. "We will need to get our rotations set in the next couple of days."
         The Cougars have been picked as the preseason favorite in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. SIUE finished last season with a 25-7 mark falling to Southern Indiana in the GLVC Tournament Championship.
         "A lot of that is based on the fact that we do have a lot of seniors coming back," said Gober. "It's a big honor, and it is nice for the program to get that kind of respect."
         SIUE faces Hillsdale in the first game of the tournament Friday. The Chargers made the NCAA Tournament last season with a 19-10 mark.
         "They are a lot like us," said Gober. "They are returning a big nucleus from last season. They are going to be an experienced team and a very tough match for our first game."
         The Cougars also battle Regis on Friday, and Wayne State (Neb.) and Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday.
         A couple unexpected players have been surprises for Gober and his staff this preseason. Most notably is junior Jamie Jones (Flanagan).
         "She is making us rethink our offense right now," said Gober. "Jamie is giving us some options because she is so quick in the middle and she can possibly play on the right side."
         Freshmen Emily Rahn (Waukesha, Wis) and Kate Hofeldt (Antioch) have both shown they have ability to provide depth to the Cougar roster.
         "They have greatly exceeded my expectations," said Gober. "They can step in and play right now. I am very confident in both of them."
         SIUE opens the tourney against Hillsdale at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
                  -siue cougars-

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Players Mentioned

#18 Kate Hofeldt: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

#9 Jamie Jones: MH; 6' 0"; Junior

#6 Emily Rahn: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#18 Kate Hofeldt
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH

#9 Jamie Jones
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MH

#6 Emily Rahn
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH

Players Mentioned

#18 Kate Hofeldt

#9 Jamie Jones

#6 Emily Rahn

Players Mentioned

#18 Kate Hofeldt

#9 Jamie Jones

#6 Emily Rahn