HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team fell in five sets, 14-25, 25-12, 16-25, 25-23, 15-13, Saturday to UIW in Southland Conference action at the University Center.
 
SLU (8-17, 6-7 SLC) has now dropped four consecutive matches rolling into its regular-season finale Thursday against Northwestern State (10-17, 4-8 SLC). UIW (11-17, 6-7 SLC) moves into a tie with the Lady Lions for fifth place in the conference standings.
 
Both teams enjoyed lopsided scoring advantages through the first three sets, with Southeastern taking the lead into the fourth set.
 
The Lady Lions built a comfortable, seven-point lead, going up 11-4 over UIW on a kill by Cicily Hidalgo. Following a timeout, the Cardinals scored eight of the next 11 points to narrow the gap before eventually taking their first lead of the set, 20-19.
 
After UIW finished off the fourth to pull even, the Lady Lions built a 6-4 lead in the final set. A four-point swing put the Cardinals back on top, but Southeastern answered with a four-point swing of its own to regain the lead, 11-9. Another four-point swing put UIW back up, 13-11.
 
SLU tied up the set, 13-13, on a kill by senior Karlee Wilkerson, but the Cardinals scored the next two points to finish off the match. 
 
Addie Vidrine, a junior from Lafayette, Louisiana, led Southeastern with 12 kills, one of four Lady Lions to reach double figures. Hidalgo (11), Crispin Adams (10) and Wilkerson (10) also reached double digits.
 
Hidalgo now has 387 total kills this season, moving into the program's Top 10 for a single season. She is currently tied with Britten Kimbrell (1997) for 10th, but sits just one back of Mandy Withrow (1999) in ninth place. Angel Mauterer (1997) ranks eighth with 398 kills.
 
Southeastern setters Ariana Hebert (24 assists, 10 digs) and Gracie Duplechein (14 assists, 12 digs) both turned in double-doubles, marking the third time this season the pair has accomplished the feat in the same match. The duo joined Hidalgo (11 kills, 15 digs) and Vidrine (12 kills, 14 digs) in recording double-doubles, giving the Lady Lions a season-high four players in a single match.
 
Hebert also served up five aces, including three consecutive aces early in the first set, to establish a new career high. The junior from Lafayette now has 10 in her last three matches.
 
Adams had a hand in five of the Lady Lions' nine total blocks in the match. Hidalgo was in on four blocks and served up an ace.
 
Calli Collins, a sophomore libero from Columbus, Texas, led SLU with 17 digs.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern wraps up the homestand and the regular season on Veteran's Day against Northwestern State. In addition to the traditional Senior Night ceremony, all active duty and military veterans will be honored prior to the 6:30 p.m. match in the University Center.
 
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.