HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team enters the final week of the regular season with its Southland Conference regular season title hopes still alive, looking for two wins which could earn the Lady Lions the title of champions.
 
Kailin Newsome looks to finish off an outstanding regular season for SLU as she remains the lone player in the Southland Conference to average more than four kills per set, currently sitting a 4.01. Her proficiency on the attack currently has her also leading the SLC in total points per set, averaging 4.47 points per set for the year, just one of two players in the conference averaging more than four.
 
One doesn't need to look far to find SLU's next best player on the attack in the conference standings as Cicily Hidalgo currently averages 3.24 kills per set, which is fourth best in the Southland.
 
Southeastern starts the week one game back of the co-conference leaders in Houston Christian and McNeese, which leads right into the first match of the week, Thursday's meeting with the Cowgirls.
 
The Lady Lions (21-7, 11-5 SLC) go into Thursday evening's match in Lake Charles looking to complete a season sweep of McNeese after SLU took the earlier meeting in four sets in the University Center back in late September.
 
McNeese (16-14, 12-4 SLC) is led on the season by Kendall Glueck, who is averaging 3.03 kills per set, the only Cowgirl over three kills per set. Nejra Hanic averages 2.82 while Skyeler Embry averages 2.55 kills per set respectively. SLU will have to be aware of the serving prowess of Sanni Rantanen, who leads her team with 33 aces on the season.
 
Thursday's match-up is set for a 4:00 P.M. opening serve in the Legacy Center and will be streamed on the McNeese athletics website. A win by the Lady Lions would prove vital in numerous tiebreaking scenarios should SLU get help elsewhere when the standings get finalized following Saturday's season finales.
 
Saturday will be Senior Day as five Lady Lions will be honored prior to the match against Incarnate Word, a potentially historic match as Southeastern looks to complete a perfect 12-0 record inside the University Center during the regular season in 2022. SLU will be looking for a bit of revenge as well as the Cardinals knocked off the Lady Lions in four sets on Oct. 15.
 
UIW (6-10, 5-11 SLC) is led by Risa Sena at 2.83 kills per set. Allison Palmi averages 2.51 kills per set, Kyla Malone is at 2.46 and Annamarie Alvarez rounds out the leading attackers for the Cardinals at 2.37 kills per set. Taylor Stoops leads UIW in aces with 33.
 
Saturday's regular season finale is scheduled for noon in the University Center with the Senior Day festivities happening before the start of the match. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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.