JACKSONVILLE – Senior Emily Rutherford closed the book on a terrific career Saturday afternoon with a record-setting day as the Jacksonville State volleyball team beat Southeast Missouri, 3-2, on the road to wrap up the season.

Rutherford shattered her previous career-high with a dominant 31-kill performance Saturday. It's the only 30-kill game by a Gamecock in the last five years. She also added 13 digs in what became her 48^th career double-double in her final time out for the Red and White.

However, Rutherford didn't do it alone. Sophomore Charis Ludtke had 13 kills and 14 digs in the winning effort, while sophomore Allyson Zuhlke and freshman Mackenzie Rombach added nine and eight kills, respectfully.

Sophomore Jennifer Hart finished strong with 52 assists, just three shy of her season high. She also dug out 17 balls on the defensive side trailing only sophomore libero Hannah Kirk who led the way with 22 digs.  

The win lifted JSU to a final record of 14-20 overall and 5-11 in Ohio Valley Conference action. The Redhawks fell to 10-19 and 6-10 in league play.

"I'm really proud of how these young kids have fought all year long," said head coach Terry Gamble. "They care about this program, JSU, and the direction we are going. To have all the injuries we have had and to be as young as we are, they really worked hard and shows they want to be great."

The Gamecocks trailed late in the opening set, 21-18, when Rutherford provided a key kill that sparked the opening comeback. JSU tied things up at 22, finishing on a 7-1 run to claim the first set, 25-22.

SEMO responded taking the next two sets by identical 25-18 scores. The Redhawks hit .341 and .351 during the two sets for the highest attack percentages of the day.

In the fourth set, the largest lead of the frame belonged to JSU at 22-18. With the Gamecocks looking to even the match at two games apiece, the Redhawks made a late surge that threatened to end the match. SEMO cut the deficit to one, 24-23, but a Redhawks error helped JSU hold on and send the game into a decisive fifth frame.

After falling behind early, a 5-0 run for JSU aided by a pair of Ludtke kills, pushed the visitors ahead, 7-4. SEMO quickly tied the set, 8-8, and then JSU rallied from behind to tie at 11-11. JSU faced match-point twice trailing 14-13 and 15-14. However, as was the case all day, the Gamecocks refused to go away.

Rutherford came through in the end with her final two kills of the day to even the score and then give JSU the lead for good at 16-15 as Jax State won the final three points to complete the thrilling victory.

Along with Rutherford, who leaves as just the fourth players in school history to join both the 1,000 kills and digs clubs, it was the final game for seniors Laney Torkelson and Samantha Bohne.

The Gamecock program won't be off for long as the coaches and players turn their attention to the inaugural sand volleyball season this coming spring.