HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana volleyball team returns to the University Center for three Southland Conference matches this coming week, Tuesday at 7 p.m. against McNeese for Smoot Fever Night, Thursday at 6 p.m. against UIW prior to the Homecoming bonfire and Saturday at 12 p.m. against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for Senior Day.
Admission to all three matches is free. Fans should enter the arena upstairs at Gate 3. Volleyball posters and magnet schedules will be available in the Fan Zone, and students can earn points toward their LionUp Loyalty account by checking in on the app while in attendance.
Tuesday, fans are encouraged to come dressed in their best Coach Smoot-inspired Hawaiian attire and get tropical for this mid-week match against McNeese (7-15, 3-4 Southland). Special prizes will be given out for the winner of the Tropical Obstacle.
Thursday's match against UIW (7-13, 3-5 Southland) is Faculty Appreciation Night.
Four seniors,
Landry Bullock,
Rachael Bunn,
Parrie Hartley and
Madi Odom, will be honored before Saturday's Homecoming matchup with first place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (13-7, 8-0 Southland).
Fans can watch all three matches live on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream, or follow live statistics. Links for stats, video and promotions info are available on the volleyball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern (4-16, 3-4 Southland) is coming off an exciting, 5-set conference win Saturday over rival Northwestern State at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Chloee Holden (2.08 kills per set), a freshman from Alvin, Texas, Bullock (1.88 k/set), a senior from Spring, Texas,
Elyssa Purcell (1.79 k/set, 4.04 assists per set), a redshirt freshman also from Alvin, and Hartley (1.78 k/set), a senior from Columbus, Texas, pace the Lady Lion offense with a helping hand from
Haley Baker (5.06 a/set), a sophomore from Elkton, Maryland.
Bunn (0.62 blocks per set), a senior from San Juan Capistrano, California, and
Savannah Alcazar (0.49 b/set), a freshman from League City, Texas, are the team's top blocking threats. Bunn is fifth in both block assists (255) and total blocks (293) on Southeastern's career list.
Monica Ramon (3.85 d/set), a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, Odom (2.79 d/set), a senior from Kingwood, Texas, Purcell (2.34 d/set) and
Macey Stock (2.21 d/set), a sophomore from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, anchor the defense along the back line.
McNeese has won its last three matches, all in conference play.
Katelyn Elliot (2.97 k/set), Rae Myers (2.49 k/set) and Alexandra Aguilera (9.69 a/set) lead the Cowgirl offense, while Haley Schneider (0.66 b/set) and Jenny D'Alessandro (0.65 b/set) are the team's top blockers.
Bridget Justis (4.38 d/set), Keegan Nelms (2.57 d/set) and Adison Giambrone (2.57 d/set) are McNeese's top defenders along the back line.
UIW has picked up conference wins in its last two matches.
Autumn Lockley (3.39 k/set), Madison Williams (6.39 a/set) and Sierra Moses (4.44 a/set) help direct the Cardinal offense.
Sarea Alexander (1.01 b/set), Bryaunea Hall (0.76 b/set) and Emily Waller (0.65 b/set) are UIW's leading blockers. Lockley (2.77 d.set), Shaina Garza (2.72 d/set) and Brittany Muller (2.63 d/set) are the team's leading defenders along the back line.
A&M-Corpus Christi has won the last two matchups with the Lady Lions, including a first-round contest in last season's Southland Conference Tournament.
Brittany Gilpin (3.27 k/set), Morgan Carlson (2.67 k/set) and Kristyn Nicholson (8.96 a/set) lead the Islanders' offensive attack.
Madison Fitzsimmons (1.15 b/set) and Madeleine Doud (0.94 b/set) are A&M-Corpus Christi's top blocking threats, while Kate Klepetka (5.11 d/set) and Gilpin (2.65 d/set) lead the defensive effort along the back line.
After road contests at Nicholls (Oct. 27) and McNeese (Oct. 29), Southeastern returns to the University Center, Nov. 1, to host Central Arkansas in the Lady Lions' final home match of the season.
