MOBILE, Ala. – Southeastern Louisiana topped Mississippi State by five points in the first set, before ultimately dropping the match to the Bulldogs in four, 20-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-13, in Jag Gym during the final day of action at the Jaguar Invitational.
 
Led by Elyssa Purcell (.556) and Maddy Katchen (.500) in the first set, the Lady Lions (1-8) combined for a .367 attack percentage as a team. Purcell (Alvin, Texas) pick up five of her 11 kills in the initial set. Katchen (Fox River Grove, Illinois), who led Southeastern with 12 kills in the match, joined Jodi Edo (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) in recording three kills during the first set.
 
After out-hitting Mississippi State (4-6) in the first set, .367 to .314, the Bulldog defense progressively locked down the Lady Lion offense to claim the final three sets.
 
Katchen (12) and Purcell (11) each recorded double-digit kills to lead Southeastern offensively. Haley Baker (Elkton, Maryland) and Michelle Mirarchi (Plano, Texas) each handed out 14 assists. Mirarchi recorded her first double-double of the season, picking up 11 digs.
 
Alexis Pratt (Houston, Texas) served up a pair of the Lady Lions' three aces. Sophomore middle Tempestt Vaughn (Beaumont, Texas) had a hand in six of the team's eight blocks.
 
Senior libero Lexie Torres (San Antonio, Texas) led Southeastern with 16 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Lions host Tulane at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the University Center. The 2018 home opener is the annual Dig the Lions match. The first 200 Southeastern students in attendance will receive a t-shirt and free food.
 
JACKSON STATE MATCH
Southeastern's match at Jackson State, postponed this past Tuesday in advance of Hurricane Gordon, has been rescheduled for October 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.
 
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.