Southeast volleyball started Ohio Valley Conference play with a loss in straight sets to Austin Peay on Friday night, but bounced back to beat Murray State in five sets on Saturday.

With the win, Southeast improved its record to 9-6 overall, and 1-1 in OVC play. The win also marked the 100th career victory at Southeast for head coach Julie Yankus.

“I honestly didn’t even know it was coming...or that it was close,” Yankus said. “I’m happy to do it with this team. I think they are a really special group, they work really hard and put the team first.”

Yankus said Friday was a really tough match for the team, but pointed out that they would rather win against Austin Peay come OVC tournament time, when the win means more.

Saturday’s match was anything but routine for the Redhawks, who took control early, winning the first two sets, before dropping both the third and fourth sets, ultimately getting pushed to a fifth set.

The first set was tight, getting pushed past the 25- point barrier before ending 28-26 Southeast. In the second set, the Redhawks were able to take control early in a 25-17 win. Murray responded by winning a close third set 25-21 before forcing a fifth set with a 25-16 win in the fourth.

“We came out hot today, but that third set there was a shift in mentality a little bit,” Yankus said. “We were really down mentally. I’m really proud of the way we responded in the fifth set.”

Southeast rebounded in the fifth set, taking an 8-3 lead. The Redhawks were able to get the job done from there, winning 15-9.

Sophomore Laney Malloy led the way on offense for the Redhawks, with 11 kills against Austin Peay and 18 more against Murray State. Malloy, a transfer from Illinois-Chicago was named the OVC newcomer of the week Sept. 10.

Malloy also had a pair of assists to go along with 17 digs and 4 aces on Saturday.

“She just does so much for us,” Yankus said. “She came alive in that fifth set. She is doing everything. For her to play like that is really awesome.”

Sophomore Maggie Adams controlled the net, with seven blocks on Friday, and six on Saturday, leading the Redhawks in both matches. Freshman setter Claire Ochs, named the OVC newcomer of the week Sept. 17, had 55 assists and 16 digs against Murray State, freshman libero Ally Dion led the way defensively with 18 digs against the Racers. The Redhawks will look to build on the win as the team continues OVC play as they travel to Eastern Illinois on Sep. 28 at 7 p.m.