Redhawk report: Fall sports season at Southeast Missouri State
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A Southeast Missouri State University report on Fall 2021 sports.
Volleyball Wins OVC Regular-Season and Tournament Titles in Historic Season
Southeast Missouri’s volleyball team won the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and
tournament titles during a historic season which saw the Redhawks post an overall record of
25-8 and 14-4 in league play. It was SEMO’s 10 th OVC regular-season title and seventh OVC
Tournament crown. The Redhawks advanced to face defending national champion Kentucky in
the first round of the NCAA Tournament where their season ended.
Volleyball Collects Honors
Julie Yankus was named the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year and Laney Malloy
was tabbed OVC Player of the Year highlighting Southeast Missouri’s volleyball postseason
honors. Malloy also earned First-Team All-OVC accolades. Zoey Beasley and Claire Ochs joined
Malloy as first-team selections, while Tara Beilsmith claimed second-team laurels. Ochs was the
OVC Tournament Most Valuable Player, as well, and Malloy later claimed honorable mention
American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Midwest Region honors.
Football Wraps Up Season with Big Win Over #8 UT Martin
Southeast Missouri’s football team ended the season strong when it upended then-#8 UT
Martin, 31-14, on Nov. 20 at Houck Field. SEMO beat a Top-10 team for the fourth time in
program history. The victory also marked Head Coach Tom Matukewicz’s program record
seventh over a ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The Redhawks finished
the season with an overall record of 4-7 and second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 4-2
mark.
Haynes Selected a Semifinalist for FCS Punter of the Year Award
Southeast Missouri’s Zach Haynes is among 10 semifinalists for the 2021 FCS Punter of the Year
Award. The semifinalists were chosen from an initial field of 37 candidates nominated for the
honor. A native of Potosi, Missouri, Haynes repeated as a First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference
selection this season. All candidates were evaluated by the FCS Punter of the Year Award
committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. The winner will be
announced on Monday, December 13.
Twelve Redhawks Land on All-OVC Football Teams
A total of 12 Southeast Missouri players claimed Ohio Valley Conference honors for their efforts
during the 2021 season. Running back Geno Hess offensive lineman Zack Gieg, defensive tackle
Bryson Donnell, outside linebacker Omardrick Douglas, inside linebacker Brandon Mincy, kicker
Kenny Doak and punter Zach Haynes each garnered first-team accolades. Wide receiver Johnny
King, offensive lineman Nate Korte, inside linebacker Bryce Norman and kick returner Shabari
Davis secured second-team laurels. And, quarterback CJ Ogbonna was named to the league’s
All-Newcomer Team.
Broncos Cornerback and SEMO Alum Mike Ford Participates in NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats”
Southeast Missouri alum Mike Ford was among many Denver Broncos players who participated
in this year’s My Cause My Cleats initiative in order to raise awareness for various causes and
nonprofit organizations. The My Cause My Cleats initiative was created in 2016 and was
designed for NFL players to showcase the charitable cause that is most important to them in
front of a national audience. Participating players wore custom-designed cleats in support of
their chosen cause during Week 13 games. Broncos donned their custom cause-related cleats in
Denver’s game against Kansas City on Dec. 5. Ford’s cause was the American Cancer Society.
Demolition Begins at Houck Field
Demolition at Houck Field officially began on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Back in September, the
Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors took action to begin the first phase of
construction for a new Houck Field. The first phase includes demolition of the existing south
grandstand structure and construction of a new south seating bowl and concourse, which will
include restrooms and concessions. The new south sideline seating and concourse is expected
to be completed in time for the Fall 2022 season.
Redhawks Finish Fall Sports Ranked Second in OVC Commissioner’s Cup
The reigning Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner’s Cup Champion, Southeast Missouri ranked
second – one point behind UT Martin – in the initial standings revealed at the conclusion of fall
sports. UTM (36.5), SEMO (35.5), Tennessee Tech (33.5), Murray State (31.5) and Belmont (31)
were in the top five. Eastern Illinois (28.5), Morehead State (23), Austin Peay (22.5), SIUE (18.5)
and Tennessee State (9.5) rounded out the standings.
Fall Semester Ends
A total of 23 Southeast Missouri student-athletes will earn their degrees following the Fall 2021
semester. SEMO’s Commencement is scheduled for Dec. 18 and brings this official close to this
year’s fall semester.
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