NEW ORLEANS, La. – Southeastern Louisiana held off New Orleans for a 25-15, 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-9, Southland Conference victory Wednesday at the Human Performance Center, extending its winning streak to eight consecutive matches.
 
The Lady Lions (11-3, 9-2 Southland) and UNO (2-11, 2-9 Southland) traded off sets with Southeastern running away with the opening and final stanzas.
 
Kailin Newsome led all players with 19 kills. She also picked up 16 digs to once again record a double-double, her ninth consecutive and 10th overall this season.
 
Southeastern also picked up considerable contributions from Karlee Wilkerson and Sam Gomez. Wilkerson, a junior from Springfield, Louisiana, hit .318 with 12 kills and tied a career-high with seven total blocks. Gomez, a senior from Mandeville, Louisiana, tied her season-high with eight total blocks. Ryan Maddera chipped in another seven kills.
 
Both Lady Lion setters, Calli Collins (23 assists, 10 digs) and Ariana Hebert (12 assists, 12 digs), posted double-doubles for the second time in as many matches. Libero Ansley Tullis added seven assists to the offensive effort, marking the fourth time this season she has contributed at least seven assists in a match.
 
Collins served up a pair of aces, as did Crispin Adams who also contributed five total blocks on defense.
 
Newsome led Southeastern in digs, one of four players along with Tullis (13), Hebert and Collins to reach double figures in digs.
 
The Lady Lions currently sit in sole possession of second place in the Southland standings, one game back of both Sam Houston (9-1, 9-1 Southland) and Stephen F. Austin (21-5, 9-1 Southland). The two first-place teams face each other Thursday evening in Huntsville, Texas.
 
With a little help, Southeastern could claim a share of the conference title. In addition to winning out, the Lady Lions would need both Sam Houston and SFA to lose one of their final two matches.
 
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 fifth in the Southland standings.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern wraps up the regular season at 12 p.m. Saturday against Central Arkansas (8-7, 6-4 Southland) at the Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas.

Following the match at UCA, the Lady Lions will then compete in the 2020-21 Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament. Scheduled to run March 31-April 3, the tournament is being held 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.
 
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.
 
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.