HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team looks to take the lessons of a tough opening weekend into Arkansas this weekend as the Lady Lions take part in the Central Arkansas Invitational with matches against Little Rock and host Central Arkansas at UCA's Prince Center.
 
Southeastern (1-2) opens a month-long run of matches away from the Pride Roofing University Center with this weekend's action at the Central Arkansas Invitational, looking to avoid the first three-match losing streak since losing four-straight towards the end of the 2021 season.
 
Kailin Newsome continues to be the top offensive threat for the Lady Lions as she finished the opening weekend of the season by averaging 3.64 kills per set on a .206 attack percentage during SLU's three matches at the Southeastern Showdown. Rachel Hartmann and Cicily Hidalgo each averaged 2.64 kills per set. Hartmann earned the Southland's Offensive Player of the Week award based on her abilities alongside her attacking prowess as she also averaged 3.73 assists and 2.36 digs per set while picking up three total block assists over the weekend.
 
On Friday, Southeastern opens play in the Central Arkansas Invitational by taking on the Trojans of Arkansas-Little Rock. UALR (0-3) went to the Arkansas State Invitational over opening weekend and dropped all three of their matches without winning a set in the process as they fell to Arkansas State, North Alabama, and Louisiana Tech. Bella Cherry led the Trojans over the weekend with 3.17 kills on a .074 attack percentage along with five service aces. Dariana Valencia had a team-high 28 assists as no Trojan player appeared in all three matches.
 
Saturday, the Lady Lions wrap up their weekend with a match against the host institution, Central Arkansas. The Sugar Bears (1-3) went to the MIZZOU Classic over opening weekend and defeated Illinois State between losses to Colgate and the host, Missouri. UCA wrapped up its weekend on Sunday with a straight sets home loss to Michigan State. Charlie Tidwell and Lilly Taylor each had 32 kills over the first weekend of the season with Tidwell hitting for a .215 attack percentage while Taylor hit for a .112 attack percentage and had a team-high eight service aces. Allison Holloway added 30 kills on a .434 attack percentage. Caylan Koons had 135 assists in the Sugar Bears' four matches for a 9 assist per set average.
 
The Lady Lions will play at 1 p.m. on both days with live stats available for both matches while the match against Central Arkansas will also be streamed on ESPN+. All matches of the Central Arkansas Invitational will be played at the Prince Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.
 
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.