HAMMOND, La. – The Jeremy White era for Southeastern Louisiana Volleyball begins in earnest Thursday as players officially report to campus in preparation for the 2019 season.
 
"I'm ready to get in the gym," White said. "We are really excited about the new era of Southeastern Volleyball. We had a productive spring. Now, with some of the roster adjustments we have made, we finally have the whole team together."
 
The Lady Lions return seven players off last season's squad (2-27, 1-15 Southland) and welcome 11 newcomers to camp.
 
White, in his first season at Southeastern, joined the Lady Lion program in December from Northwestern Oklahoma State where he compiled a 38-25 record in two seasons as the head coach.
 
Former Louisiana Tech standout and longtime assistant coach Gabryel Ording joined the staff in March, taking over recruiting coordinator duties.
 
 "We want to get to the culture concept of being work-driven," White said. "Understand we have to grow this piece by piece. We can build the foundation through the end of this season, setting up the program for future success. It will all depend on how certain players adjust to new roles."
 
Leading the charge will be key returners Jodi Edo, Caroline Golden and Sam Gomez. Edo, a senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shifts over to middle blocker this season. A junior from Mandeville, Louisiana, Gomez led the Lady Lions with 79 total blocks.
 
Golden finished second on the squad with 217.5 points in 2018, the most of any returning player. The junior outside hitter from Mandeville recorded 190 kills, handed out 39 assists and led the Lady Lions with 21 service aces.
 
"With only one outside hitter returning, there's going to be a lot of competition at that position," White said. "That's going to be one of the preseason battles that we have an interest in."
 
Competing for playing time on the outside will be transfer Ryan Maddera. An outside hitter from McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska, Maddera played in 35 matches this past season, recording 398 kills, 228 digs, 16 solo blocks, 73 total blocks and 42 service aces.
 
She ranked fourth among hitters in the Region IX South division in total kills, her 3.18 kills per set ranked seventh and total blocks ranked 14th.
 
Another key transfer for the Lady Lions is local product Karlee Wilkerson. The sophomore from Springfield, Louisiana, appeared in 18 matches last season at ULM and contributed an average of 1.60 points per set. Her versatility and arm will allow her to play in both the middle and opposite.
 
There are a host of other changes in store this season for the Lady Lions.
 
"We will have a freshman setter and there will be a learning curve," White said. "We have also adjusted some players, not major position changes but maybe adjusting back to certain things. We are excited to see how productive they can be in those spots."
 
The public's first chance to see the new-look Lady Lions will be at the annual Green & Gold match, Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the University Center.
 
Southeastern's season begins with three matches at the Jax State Invitational, Aug. 30-31, in Jacksonville, Alabama. After a single match Sept. 3 at Tulane in New Orleans, Louisiana, and three more matches against SIU-Edwardsville, Alabama A&M and Southern Illinois at the Saluki Bash in Carbondale, Illinois, Southeastern returns to the University Center for the home opener.
 
The Lady Lions face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a Southland Conference match, Sept. 12, and then host the Islanders, California Baptist and Jackson State over the next two days in the SLU LionUp Classic.
 
Following a road contest at Mississippi Valley State and three more matches at the Comfort Inn-vitational in Morehead, Kentucky, Southeastern returns to conference action.
 
Other home matches for the Lady Lions in 2019 include contests against McNeese, Lamar, Northwestern State, Southern, New Orleans, Central Arkansas, Nicholls and Sam Houston State.
 
While his first season at the helm could prove daunting, White is more concerned with where the program is headed in the future.
 
"The most important thing is not to get ahead of ourselves," White said. "If we want to have lasting success, then it is about growing the culture and the skill set of our players over the long term. We don't want to be a flash in the pan. I expect this team to have some high moments and some low moments. How you battle through those will make a difference in how the season goes.
 
 
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 @SLU_VBall or @JWhiteSLU on Twitter, @Southeastern_vb on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.