Defending OVC volleyball champ SEMO wins third straight match

Southeast Missouri State women’s netters (3-2, 3-2 Ohio Valley Conference) have fallen into a routine of late.

It happened again Sunday as the Redhawks prevailed over Belmont in Nashville, 17-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-20.

Last Sunday, coach Julie Yankus’ squad followed an identical pattern – drop the first set, win the final three - as SEMO took a doubleheader from Eastern Kentucky University at Houck Field House.

“We’re actually 0-5 in first sets this season and we’ve got to get better out of the gate,” said Yankus, in her 10th season at Southeast.

“Obviously, I’d like to start every match strong and finish that way but what I’m really happy about is we adjusted after starting out so slow tonight,” she added.

Sophomore Tara Beilsmith, the OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for her 41 digs against EKU, added 17 to that total against the Bruins to lead the Redhawks.

“We expect so much out of (Tara) honestly (and) she’s so consistent for us,” Yankus said.

Fellow SEMO sophomore Zoey Beasley, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, led all players with 17 kills.

Junior setter Claire Ochs was atop the match leaderboard with 43 assists, while seniors Laney Malloy and Maggie Adams led their squad in attacks and blocks, with 38 and 5, respectively.

The Redhawks won the 2019 OVC volleyball title with a 23-11 (12-4 OVC) mark, the team’s first since 2006 and the sixth overall in school history.

The conference called off the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

SEMO and winless Belmont (0-3, 0-3) play again Monday in a 4 p.m. match also at the Curb Event Center.