Box Score CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – SIUE volleyball collected a season-high 63 kills Saturday as the Cougars rolled to a four-set victory over Southeast Missouri at Houck Field House.
SIUE evened its Ohio Valley Conference record at 1-1 and moved to 5-10 overall. Southeast dropped to 8-8 overall and 1-1 in the OVC.
"The most exciting thing about this match was the way we started and the way we finished," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson.
Going into Saturday's match, the Cougars wanted to finish points with kills quicker. "We put it on our keys for success and then went out and did it," Johnson said.
A season-best five SIUE hitters finished with double digits kills. The Cougars were led by Cori Harris' career-high 17 kills. The Cougar senior hit .341 for the match. Alicia Streetar, Kristen Torre, Hilary Trevino, and Kelsey Augustine joined Harris in double figures. Augustine was the most efficient hitter of the day with 10 kills on just 17 attacks.
"Mallory (Mangun) did a nice job of moving the ball around," said Johnson of the Cougars' freshman setter. "We were scoring from everywhere. Cori was a real threat on the right side so they had to keep an eye on her, and that opened up opportunities for everyone else."
The Cougars and the Redhawks went point for point in set one. The score was tied for a 12th time at 20-20 before SIUE won the final five points behind the Mangun's strong serve.
Set two was a defensive battle for both teams. Chelsea Colclasure picked off 14 digs in the second set. The Redhawks, however, made just one attack error to even the match.
Johnson said SIUE adjusted the game plan between sets two and three, and the Cougars responded.
"I was pleased with our composure and ability to fulfill the game plan," said Johnson. "I really feel like we had the advantage because they were reacting to us."
Harris continued to power the Cougars with 10 kills over the final two sets.
The Cougars would win both of the final two sets after being tied 23-23 in each set. Harris picked up her only service ace of the day on set point of set three. Harris also was on the serve at match point to close out the match.
Southeast Missouri finished with four players with double digit kills. Colleen Yarber led the Redhawks with 14 kills and 17 digs.
Johnson credited the Cougar defense for keeping the team going in transition. Along with Colclasure's season-high 30 digs, Kasey Schumacher turned in one of her best defensive performances of the season with 16 digs.
"We trusted our abilities. We trusted our style. We trusted our system," Johnson said.
The Cougars next travel to Charleston for a Tuesday match against Eastern Illinois. Match time is 6 p.m.
