Masterson hopes to lead improved offense

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team is coming off a season last year where it finished with a sub .500 record overall as well as in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Redhawks are led by two seniors, defensive specialist Haley Roberts and 2014 first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Taylor Masterson. She had a season last year where she saw action in all 31 matches and was at the top of the OVC leaderboard for kill percentage at .351.

"She's a competitor, has a great volleyball IQ and is a great leader on this team," Southeast coach Julie Yankus said about Masterson.

This year's Redhawks team has worked well together in the offseason and has great energy, according to junior rightside hitter Madalyn Werths.

"We've got a lot of positive energy, new energy coming onto the court, and we're all meshing really well," Werths said.

Werths said the team's chemistry is "really good" and that it really helps with the way the game develops.

"It helps with the flow of the game to have a lot of girls that can come together and work hard and get their jobs done," Werths said.

Southeast's roster is primarily underclassmen, with eight of the 13 spots being freshmen and sophomores.

Yankus called the young players "sponges."

"They really want to get better, so it's great to have them come in here and be willing to do whatever it takes to be successful on the floor," Yankus said.

This offseason, Southeast worked on quickening up its offense in all aspects.

"We've really improved our ball control as far as serve receive and getting the ball to our setters so we can have all of our hitters available," Yankus said. "Hitters should be one on one and be able to terminate more."

Southeast has an excited and energized team coming into this season, and energy levels can have a huge impact on how a team plays, according to Werths.

"Being able to give 100 percent every time really does influence the impact we can have on the game and the motivation that we can motivate each other working together," Werths said.

Southeast took part in a scrimmage on Sept. 22 that was competitive and went to five sets. In that scrimmage, the coaching staff found out they had some options.

"We've got options as far as going into the bench," Yankus said. "We've got some options for people that can come in and compete."

Also returning for Southeast this season is junior setter Katarina Rotta who played in a total of 31 matches last year.

Rotta recorded 927 assists last season, averaging 7.9 per set and was also named Setter of the Week last season on the week of Oct. 27.

Nzingha Clarke came off a freshman season where she played in 30 matches and was second on the team in blocks with 111 last season behind Masterson.

The Redhawks will play in four tournaments this season, one of which Southeast hosted this past weekend. Southeast lost all three matches in the tournament and finished in fourth place.

Southeast will play in the Gardner-Webb tournament on Sept. 4-5. After the four tournaments, Southeast will open OVC play against rival Murray State at home on Sept. 25.

During the offseason, the Redhawks were picked ninth in the conference preseason polls while Murray State was ranked first. Southeast will try to mimic the practice this offseason to the court when the season starts.

"We want to practice how we want to play," Yankus said.

The key to this season comes down to offensive play and setting up the team's hitters equally with precise passing, according to Yankus.

"If we can pass, all of our hitters can hit, we've got some great hitters we just have to be able to get them all the ball at an equal," Yankus said. "If we can balance our offense, which we will continue to work on, we will be successful."