HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament with a win over Incarnate Word, 26-24, 16-25, 25-19, 25-16, Saturday at the University Center, extending its winning streak to seven.
 
The Lady Lions (10-3, 8-2 Southland) started off slowly but finished strong, pulling away from UIW (4-8, 4-6 Southland) down the stretch. Southeastern's offense took over in the second half of the match, hitting .244 in the third set and .379 in the final set.
 
"I thought UIW started with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, but we were able to grind our way through points and slowly take the wind out of their sails," head coach Jeremy White said. "I'm really proud of our kids for refocusing on us after losing the second set and getting back to doing what we do – defend well, grind out points and win the big points at the end of sets."
 
Kailin Newsome led all players in both kills (18) and digs (19). The freshman from Houston, Texas recorded her eighth consecutive double-double and her ninth overall this season, establishing a new career-high in digs.
 
Karlee Wilkerson joined Newsome with double-digit kills (11) while middle blockers Crispin Adams and Sam Gomez were extremely efficient, contributed eight kills each. Gomez had a hand in three of the Lady Lions' four total blocks.
 
Setters Calli Collins (21 assists, 13 digs) and Ariana Hebert (20 assists, 12 digs) both picked up double-doubles as well. Hebert finished strong, sparking Southeastern's dominance in the final set with four service aces.
 
The Lady Lions were strong overall from the service line once again, combining for seven aces and just three service errors in the match
 
Five Lady Lions reached double figures in digs Saturday, including Newsome, Collins, Lizzy Low (13), Ansley Tullis (13) and Hebert.
 
Southeastern, which has guaranteed itself a winning season for the first time in nearly two decades and a spot in the conference tournament for the second time in as many seasons, could finish the regular season anywhere from first to seventh.
 
"Our focus right now is centered around finishing the regular season strong and continuing to learn how to play as the favorite which is a new concept to us," White said.
 
With a little help, the Lady Lions could claim a share of the conference title. In addition to winning out, Southeastern would need both Sam Houston and SFA to lose one of their final two matches.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern finishes out the regular season on the road with matches at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against UNO in New Orleans, Louisiana and 12 p.m. Saturday against Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.
 
SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT
The 2020-21 Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament is slated for March 31-April 3 at the Dugan Wellness Center on the campus of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The top eight teams in the Southland will qualify with the top four seeds drawing a first-round bye and the top two seeds drawing a bye directly into the semifinals.
 
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.