HAMMOND, La. – The defending Southland Conference Champion Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team kicks off its 2023 campaign this weekend by celebrating the success of the 2022 squad while hosting the Southeastern Showdown Friday and Saturday at the Pride Roofing University Center.
 
"I think our team is fired up for the opportunity to continue building a tradition of excellence for our program," said SLU head volleyball coach Jeremy White. "The fact that we get to kick off the season at home in front of our family and friends just makes it that much better."
 
Southeastern enters 2023 with a lot of momentum thanks to the success of the 2022 season with much of the core that made that season so great returning while several new members of the squad should make their mark immediately. The offense will be run by names well known Lady Lions fans as Gracie Duplechein will do most of the setting to get the ball over to the reigning Louisiana Player of the Year in Kailin Newsome or her counterpart in Cicily Hidalgo. On the back side, Ansley Tullis will retain the libero's off-color jersey and will be waiting to dig out opposing attacks.
 
Among the newcomers expected to have an immediate impact are transfers Jacqueline Arrington and Rachel Hartmann. Arrington led Incarnate Word in blocks over the last two seasons and should pair well with the returning Hannah Brewer to form a formidable wall for opposing hitters to try to get through. Hartmann, a junior transfer from William Carey University, showed an ability to be effective in a utility role, earning a kills-assists-digs triple-double during the recent Green & Gold Scrimmage.
 
The Southeastern Showdown will see six matches be played over two days as four teams all get a crack at each other during the season's opening weekend. The event opens at 10 am Friday with UTEP taking on Washington.
 
SLU's season kicks off in the second match on Friday as the Lady Lions take on the other team from Louisiana competing in the event, Grambling, at 12:30 pm. Grambling will stick around for the day's third match as they will take on UTEP at 4 pm. The nightcap Friday will see the Lady Lions take on the PAC-12's Huskies at 6:30 pm after the unveiling of the 2022 SLC Championship banner. Following that match, the members of the Lady Lions team will be available for an autograph signing.
 
Saturday has two matches on the docket, starting at 11 am with Grambling taking on Washington. SLU wraps up the Southeastern Showdown with a 1:30 pm match on Saturday against the Miners.
 
SLU's three matches in the Southeastern Showdown will be live streamed on ESPN+. Live stats will be available for all six matches on the weekend.
 
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.