April 17, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Thursday, April 17, 2008) The Redhawks volleyball was in season form this past Saturday has they won their SEMO Spring Invitational. The Redhawks went a perfect 4-0 in the tournament defeating non-conference rival Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 2-1 in the championship match.

"I was really impressed with what I saw this past weekend against some good competition," said Head Coach Renata Nowacki. "I saw that in their cohesiveness and their desire to compete. Their hardwork and commitment to the spring workouts in the weight room and on the court is definitely paying off and that showed on Saturday."

In their opening match of the invite the Redhawks faced 2007 NCAA Division III Champions Washington University (St. Louis). The Redhawks made quick work of the nine-time D-III Cahmpions beating them 3-0.

The Redhawks faced non-conference regional rival Arkansas State in their second match of the day. They recorded their second straight win in straight-games, winning 3-0.

The Redhawks took on Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee-Martin in their final game of pool play. The Redhawks dropped their first game of the tournament to the Skyhawks but held on for the 2-1 win. In the fall the Redhawks swept the series with Skyhawks winning 3-0 at home and 3-2 in Martin, Tennessee.

Their perfect 3-0 record propelled them into the championship match against SIU, who also entered the match undefeated at 3-0. The Redhawks won the first game easily before dropping the second game to the Salukis. They rallied in the final match and held on for the 2-1 win.

"It was a total team effort but a few individuals stuck out in my mind," said Nowacki. "If their was a Most Valuable Player of the invite, there is no doubt in my mind that Emily Hughes would have gotten it. She has made great strides during the spring and it was put on display on Saturday."

The Redhawks will head to Carbondale, Illinois this coming Saturday, April 19 to participate in the SIU Spring Tournament. Among the team's they will face are OVC rival Eastern Illinois as well as a rematch with the host Salukis.

"These spring tournaments are important in evaluating our team and the progress that they have made from the fall," said Nowacki. "After what I saw this weekend I'm very encouraged and extremely excited to get the entire team healthy this summer and incorporate our newcomers into the fold this upcoming season. I feel we are ready to compete for another OVC Championship and ultimately a berth into the NCAA Tournament."