HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana outside hitter Kailin Newsome and libero Ansley Tullis both earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors presented by Hercules Tires, the league office announced Tuesday.
 
Newsome picks up her third weekly offensive award from the conference this season after helping lead the Lady Lions to a historic victory over conference-leading Stephen F. Austin. Southeastern extended its winning streak to five consecutive Saturday while snapping the Ladyjacks' regular-season conference streak at 42 matches.
 
The freshman from Houston, Texas continued to show why she is one of the most dangerous offensive players in the Southland, recording three double-doubles this past week. She has now posted six consecutive double-doubles and has seven overall this season.
 
Newsome led all players in the win over SFA with 17 kills along with contributing 12 digs, two assists, one total block and one service ace. Earlier in the week, she 22 kills, 11 digs and a pair of aces at Lamar to go along with 23 kills, 11 digs and three blocks against Abilene Christian. For the week, Newsome averaged 4.77 kills per set.
 
Tullis, who led Southeastern's lock-down defense in the win over SFA, was named the conference's defensive player of the week. It is her first weekly award of the season after twice having earned an honorable mention.
 
The Lady Lion defense combined to hold SFA to a .155 attack percentage, well below its .246 season average. It was also just the second time in conference play the Ladyjacks did not have at least one player record double-digit kills.
 
A freshman from Slidell, Louisiana, Tullis recorded a career-high 25 digs in the win over SFA. She also picked up 20 digs at Lamar and 11 against Abilene Christian, averaging 4.31 digs per set this past week.
 
Newsome and Tullis join Crispin Adams as Southeastern players to earn one of the Southland's weekly awards this season.
 
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school's sports information director. Voting for one's own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern wraps up the home portion of its schedule this week, hosting second-place Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. Thursday and Incarnate Word at 11 a.m. Saturday at the University Center. Southeastern Athletics' Office of Student Marketing and Promotions will be giving out free food to students at Thursday's match while supplies last.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
 
SOCIAL DISTANCING ON GAMEDAYS
Proper social distancing techniques are required at all athletic events. Fans are asked to maintain a minimum distance of six feet from others, wear a face covering over both their nose and mouth, and wash their hands frequently. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout Southeastern's athletic facilities.
 
While tailgating is currently prohibited, current health and safety guidelines set forth by state and local officials due to the COVID-19 pandemic allow for 25 percent capacity at athletic events. Capacity will be adjusted as state guidelines allow.
 
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.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics enforces a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. The policy mirrors safety precautions required for entrance to professional and collegiate sporting venues throughout the country. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/Clear.
 
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.