MOREHEAD, Ky. – SIUE volleyball's thrilling run through the 2013 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament came to an end Saturday night with a loss to No. 1 seed and tournament host Morehead State.

SIUE completed the season with a 14-18 record under third-year Head Coach Leah Johnson. The Cougars matched their record for wins in the Division I era and came within a single match of its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Morehead State improved to 27-7 and earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-22 win.

SIUE senior middle hitter Kelsey Augustine and freshman setter Mallory Mangun were named to the OVC Volleyball All-Tournament team.

Augustine hit .389 in her final collegiate match with eight kills. She became the eighth player Friday to record 1,000 career kills and finished with 1,012.

"I thought Augie was our MVP," said Johnson. "She played so hard these last couple of matches with a smile on her face, trying to extend her season. I was very proud of her."

Mangun, the OVC Freshman of the Year, proved her title by guiding SIUE into its first OVC Tournament, its first OVC Tournament victory, and its first OVC Tournament championship match.

"Mallory was put center stage in her freshman season and played very well," Johnson said.

The Cougars never found their rhythm against the Eagles. SIUE hit .101 for the match, the lowest since the opening match of the OVC season against UT Martin. Cori Harris led the Cougars in kills with nine.

"We were just a little tight," said Johnson. "The first two matches we passed and served well, but we didn't have the ball control tonight. I give Morehead State a lot of credit for how they played."

Morehead State hit .305 for the match, and the Eagles' Aryn Bohannon led all hitters with 14 kills. Bohannon, Bailey Nichol, and Leslie Schellhaas were named to the All-Tournament team. Schellhaas, a libero, was selected as the Most Valuable Player after recording 14 digs in the finals.

"We had a stellar season," Johnson said. "I couldn't be more proud of the effort." She also wanted to thanks everyone who sent notes of appreciation and support this season.

"We felt an abundance of support from our family and friends," added Johnson.

NOTES:

--Chelsea Colclasure broke her own school record for digs in a season and finished the 2013 campaign with 655. She needs 18 next season to become SIUE's all-time leader.

--Harris, a senior, finished the season with a team-leading 351 kills and 405 points.

2013 OVC Volleyball All-Tournament Team

Ashley Edmond, Eastern Kentucky

Lauren Henderson, Austin Peay

Kelsey Augustine, SIUE

Mallory Mangun, SIUE

Aryn Bohannon, Morehead State

Bailey Nichol, Morehead State

Leslie Schellhaas, Morehead State (MVP)