Box Score

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Making its first appearance in the Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament since 2002, Southeastern Louisiana was eliminated by No. 1 Texas State on Friday afternoon, suffering a 25-16, 25-15, 25-20 loss in first round action at the UTSA Convocation Center.

Southeastern finished its 2009 campaign with a 9-19 overall record. Texas State improved to 20-12 and advanced to the Southland Conference semifinals, where it will face the winner of Friday's first round match between fourth-seeded Lamar and fifth-seeded UT Arlington.

Southeastern hit just .093 for the match, while Texas State countered with a .284 hitting percentage. The Lady Lions fell to 0-3 all-time in Southland Conference matches. The victory was the 11th straight for the red-hot Bobcats.

Freshman Courtney Donald hit .357 for the match for the Lady Lions and shared the team lead in kills with senior Lauren Mayer, as both players had seven kills. Senior Katie Collins had a match-high 22 assists for the Lady Lions, while All-Southland junior Alex Greer led the Lady Lions with 12 digs. Senior Margaret Pittman also helped the Southeastern defensive effort with nine digs.

Texas State was led by first team All-Southland pick Jessica Weynand, who finished with a match-high 11 kills and a .588 hitting percentage. Melinda Cave was also strong offensively for the Bobcats, posting a .462 hitting percentage and seven kills. Brittany Collins and Shelbi Irvin split setting duties, finishing with 15 and 12 assists apiece. Amber Calhoun led the Bobcats with a solo block and three block assists.

The Bobcats hit .357 to take the first set, 25-16. A kill by senior Jessica Srajer pulled the Lady Lions within one at 5-4, but Texas State ripped off the next five points and cruised to a first set victory.

In the second set, Southeastern hit just .029 and Texas State pulled away in the latter part of the set. A service error gave the Lady Lions a 9-8 advantage, but Texas State quickly reclaimed the lead. A kill by junior Allison Jones pulled Southeastern to within four at 19-15, but the Bobcats closed out the set with six consecutive points.

Texas State led nearly the entire third set, though a kill by sophomore Paige Dollison and a Texas State attack error shrunk the Bobcat lead to 23-20. However, a ball handling error by Arianne Cruckshank and an attack error by junior Kalynn Evans ended the Lady Lions' season.

The Lady Lions will look to continue its improvement in 2010. Greer, Donald, Cruckshank, Jones, freshman Taylor Buckner and freshman Alexis Braghini will give Southeastern a strong veteran nucleus with postseason experience.