LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team dropped a Southland Conference match to McNeese in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-15, Thursday at the Ralph O. Ward Rec Complex, splitting the season series.
 
Falling into a tie for third place in the conference standings with the Cowgirls (12-9, 6-4 SLC), SLU (8-14, 6-4 SLC) now sits two games back of second-place HBU (17-7, 8-2 SLC).
 
Offensively, the teams headed in different directions over the course of the match. The Lady Lions hit .200 in the opening set, progressively cooling off as the match wore on. McNeese started out strong, hitting .306, and only got stronger.
 
Freshman outside hitter Cicily Hidalgo, the Southland leader in kills, posted a team-high 13 for Southeastern. Senior Karlee Wilkerson chipped in five kills. Setters Gracie Duplechein and Ariana Hebert dished out 14 assists apiece.
 
Preseason All-Southland selection Crispin Adams had a hand in four of Southeastern's five blocks. Libero Calli Collins led all players with 12 digs.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern travels to Houston, Texas for a 1 p.m. match against second-place HBU at Sharp Gym. Live stats and a video stream are available for the match. Media links can be found on the volleyball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
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, @LionUpVB on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.