COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Golden Eagles envisioned a different outcome prior to the 2012 season, but Tech saw a team improve each day and persevere through one of the toughest seasons in program history.  In their final match of the season, Tech was defeated by Southeast Missouri State 3-1 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Saturday afternoon. 

Set scores for SEMO were 25-15, 15-25, 25-15 and 25-17. 

The Golden Eagles hit .205, the highest attack percentage in a loss this season. Tech went up against the toughest defense in the conference, but managed to hit positive in all sets but the third, including a season high .500 in the second set. The offense was led by setters Ashleigh Hancock and senior Madison Comperry, dishing out 16 and 20 assists respectively. 

Leading the the team was freshman Cody Dodd with 11 kills on 20 swings and a .350 attack percentage. Kelsey Gray finished the match with 10 kills on a perfect 17 attempt effort, swinging a career high .588. Adding to Tech's 42 team kills were Audrey Lewis and Madison Keyes with six kills apiece. Junior Ellen Conti and Elise Robertson each chipped in four kills each. 

Defensively, Courtney Smith recorded a match-high 17 digs, with Conti and Lewis each sprawling for seven. Tech recorded eight blocks, led by Gray with four block assists. The outsides anchored the net, recording seven blocks at the pins. 

It took one set for the Golden Eagles to adjust to play at SEMO, losing the first set 25-15, but the second set was a whole different story. Tech jumped to a commanding 16-6 lead early in the second set thanks to back-to-back five and four point runs by Conti and Gray. The end of the set was dominated by Gray, as she sealed the match with two kills at 20-11 and 21-11. An attack error by Dodd gave SEMO a chance to score some points, but she redeemed herself with a decisive kill, before Gray ended the second set 25-15. 

The break between sets two and three proved to be the difference in the match, as SEMO went on to win the third and fourth sets 25-15, 25-17.