BEAUMONT, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana missed an opportunity to clinch a Southland Conference Tournament bid Saturday, dropping a five-set decision to Lamar, 25-23, 17-25, 28-30, 25-19, 15-11, at McDonald Gym.
 
Despite out-hitting Lamar (9-15, 4-10 Southland) in the first set, .297 to .194, the Lady Lions (13-15, 7-7 Southland) dropped the initial set. Rebounding to claim the next two sets, Southeastern was unable to finish off the match.
 
Caroline Golden, a junior from Mandeville, Louisiana, led all players with 20 kills, falling one shy of her career-high. Golden also contributed 10 digs, picking up her fourth double-double of the season. Ryan Maddera added a career-best 19 kills and Jodi Edo chipped in another 12 for the Lady Lions.
 
Baylee Laskoskie also established a new career-high, handing out 55 assists. The freshman setter from Spring, Texas tied for the team lead with 13 digs, turning in her 10th double-double of the season and second in as many matches. Maddera and Ariana Hebert served up a pair of aces each.
 
Edo had a hand in five of the Lady Lions' 10 team blocks. The senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana picked up four more solo blocks, extending her conference-leading total to 33 this season. She ranks fourth overall with 103 total blocks.
 
Lizzy Low tied Laskoskie for the team lead with 13 digs.
 
The Lady Lions now sit alone in seventh place in the conference standings, two games up on both New Orleans (12-16, 5-9 Southland) and upcoming-opponent Nicholls (11-14, 5-9 Southland).
 
Southeastern's magic number for clinching a tournament bid remains one. Either one more Lady Lion win or a loss by either UNO or Nicholls will put Southeastern in the tournament for the first time since the 2016 season.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Lions return to the University Center this coming week to wrap up the regular season. Southeastern hosts Nicholls at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Sam Houston State (13-11, 9-3 Southland) at 1 p.m. Saturday for Senior Day.
 
DIGGIN' IT CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin' It Club. Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
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 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpVB or @JWhiteSLU on Twitter, @Southeastern_vb on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.