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Volleyball 10/4/2008 6:59:42 PM

SOUTHEASTERN DROPS MATCH TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lady Lions Hang Tough, but Bears Pull Away

Junior right side hitter Jessica Srajer led the Lady Lions with 10 kills on Saturday

Box Score

Southeastern , Central Arkansas Box Score (.html format)

HAMMOND - Senior right side hitter Jessica Srajer posted ten kills and senior middle blocker LaToya Anthony added nine kills and three blocks, but it wasn't enough for the Southeastern Louisiana University women's volleyball team (5-7, 1-2 SLC) on Saturday as the Central Arkansas Bears (12-4, 4-1 SLC) outlasted the Lady Lions in a highly competitive 3-0 match (26-28, 22-25, 20-25).

"You have to give credit to Central Arkansas," head coach Julie Langford said. "They're a very good team and they played well today. Obviously, you're always disappointed with a loss, but I'm pleased to see how our girls battled to the end."

The Lady Lions started the day shorthanded as senior middle blocker Lydia Adeosun sat out due to a knee injury and sophomore libero Alex Greer stayed on the sidelines after hitting her head on the floor while going for a dig in Friday's 3-2 win over Northwestern State. However, sophomore defensive specialist Margaret Pittman recorded 13 digs and freshman setter Arianne Cruckshank filled in at middle blocker as the Lady Lions put together a solid defensive effort in a see-saw battle with the Bears on Saturday.

"Those injuries really hurt us," Langford said. "It really taxes our depth, and we had a lot of girls playing out of position today, but Margaret did a good job trying to fill in for Alex and Arianne did very well for her first game at middle blocker."

Central Arkansas jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the first, but the Lady Lions battled back to tie the score at 10-10. Srajer and sophomore outside hitter Kalynn Evans each had four kills and junior middle blocker Julie Elliott continued her hot hitting by posting a .429 hitting percentage (3-0-7) in the first.

Unfortunately for the Lady Lions, the Bears got out to a 17-11 lead before Southeastern's next rally. The Lady Lions then went on a 11-4 run to pull to within one at 23-22. After a kill by Central Arkansas, Anthony and Evans posted kills to tie the score at 24-24 to enter the tiebreaker. Central Arkansas go out in front twice with the Lady Lions battling back each time to keep the score knotted at 26-26, but the Bears pulled away with the final two points necessary for the 28-26 win in the first.

The second set proved to be just as hotly-contested as the first as neither side could claim a lead larger than three points. Anthony led the way with four more kills and Pittman kept the Bear offense off-balance with four digs. However, with the score tied at 20-20, Central Arkansas went on a 5-2 run to take a 2-0 advantage in the match.

Southeaster looked to answer in the third, as Anthony, Srajer and junior setter Katie Collins each totaled three kills to pace the offense, and junior right side hitter Lauren Mayer, Anthony and Elliott led the defense by combining for 2.0 team blocks. Unfortunately, for the Lions, Central Arkansas used a late 6-3 run to end any hopes of a Southeastern comeback as the Lady Lions fell 25-20 in the third.

"Like we said coming in, Central Arkansas is a good team and they are going to be at the top of the conference all year," Langford said. "But, our girls gave a great effort today, and if we continue to grow like this, we should be able to match up well with the league the rest of the way."

Southeastern gets a break from conference action when they return to the court on Oct. 7 to face Southern at the University Center in Hammond. Southeastern's Student Government Association will host Spike Night at the UC and admission will be free for all students and fans. Live stats will be available on www.LionSports.net.

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