TROY, Ala. – Southeastern Louisiana dropped its season opener in straight sets to Southeast Missouri, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, Friday at Trojan Arena in the Troy Invitational.
 
The Lady Lions (0-1) were led offensively by redshirt junior Elyssa Purcell (Alvin, Texas) and junior transfer Jo Simovic (Gonrnji Milanovac, Serbia). Purcell recorded nine kills with a .500 attack percentage. Simovic, making her Southeastern debut, contributed five kills with a .267 attack percentage.
 
Haley Baker (Elkton, Maryland) and Michelle Mirarchi (Plano, Texas) split setting duties, with Baker dishing out 14 assists and Mirachi handing out 13 to go along with a match-high three service aces.
 
Lexie Torres (San Antonio, Texas) led Southeastern with 11 digs.
 
Early attack errors in the first set created a deficit the Lady Lions never overcame, aiding a stretch in which Southeast Missouri (1-0) picked up nine points in 10 serves.
 
Southeastern built a 7-3 lead in the second set, but the Redhawks scored three-straight points to pull within reach. Southeastern Missouri slowly built a 20-18 lead before scoring the final five points in the set.

In the final set, the Redhawks built a four-point advantage before Southeastern scored five in a row to take a 16-15 lead. Both teams battled back-and-forth until the set was tied, 21-21, and Southeast Missouri scored the final four points to close out the match.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern matches up with Southern at 1 p.m. Saturday and, later in the afternoon, the Lady Lions square off against host Troy at 4:30 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
 
DIGGIN' IT CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin' It Club. Lady Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diggin' It Club.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin' It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at LAA@Southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @SLU_VBall on Twitter, @Southeastern_vb on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.