HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana volleyball team closes out its home schedule this week with Southland Conference matches Thursday at 7 p.m. against Houston Baptist and Saturday at 11 a.m. against Incarnate Word at the University Center.
 
There will be free Raising Cane's for the first 100 Southeastern students, while supplies last, at Thursday's matchup with HBU (7-7, 6-2 Southland).
 
Southeastern (8-3, 6-2 Southland) enters the week tied with the Huskies for second place in the conference standings, one game in back of Sam Houston (7-1, 7-1 Southland) and Stephen F. Austin (19-5, 7-1 Southland).
 
Live stats are available for both matches in addition to streaming broadcasts on ESPN+. Media links can be found on the volleyball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Southeastern has won five consecutive matches, including a win over first-place Stephen F. Austin this past Saturday that handed the Ladyjacks their first regular-season conference loss since Oct. 31, 2017, and snapped their streak at 42 matches.
 
The Lady Lions are led by three-time Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week Kailin Newsome (4.22 kills per set) along with Ryan Maddera (2.26 k/set), Sam Gomez (1.91 k/set) and Karlee Wilkerson (1.70 k/set). Ariana Hebert (5.15 a/set) and Calli Collins (5.00 assists per set) direct Southeastern's 6- 2 system from the setter position.
 
Gomez (0.85 blocks per set) and Crispin Adams (0.71 b/set) lead Southeastern's frontline defense at the net, while reigning Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week Ansley Tullis (4.24 digs per set) teams with Lizzy Low (2.64 d/set) and Newsome (2.59 d/set) to lend support along the end line.
 
HBU has won its last two matches since being swept by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi back on March 6 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
The Huskies are led offensively by Reagan Leinen (2.56 k/set), Mikayla Vivens (2.44 k/set), Jada Allen (2.02 k/set) and Ellie Wipf (9.33 a/set). Ebonie Ballesteros (1.27 b/set) leads the Southland in blocking with help from Allen (0.94 b/set). Kaley Feris (4.06 d/set) and Vivens (3.12 d/set) are HBU's top defenders along the end line.
 
UIW (3-7, 3-5 Southland) bounced back after consecutive losses at HBU and Sam Houston for a four-set win this past weekend at Northwestern State.
 
The Cardinals are led on offense by Bethany Clapp (4.15 k/set), Chase Jackson (2.31 k/set), Taylor Henderson (2.31 k/set), Natalie Martin (8.57 a/set) and Pilar Gonzaba (8.19 a/set). Jacqueline Arrington (0.81 b/set) is UIW's top blocking threat while Audrey Patton (4.24 d/set), Britney Ong (3.39 d/set) and Clapp (2.97 d/set) are the squad's top defenders along the end line.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern wraps up the regular season with a pair of conference matches, Tuesday at New Orleans and March 27 at Central Arkansas.
 
The top eight teams in the Southland at the end of the regular season will qualify for the conference tournament, held March 31-April 3, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Any combination of two Lady Lion wins or two Incarnate Word losses will clinch a tournament bid for Southeastern.
 
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.