CONWAY, Ark. –Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team head coach Jeremy White picked up his 100
th career coaching win as his Lady Lions finished a weekend sweep at the Central Arkansas Invitational by defeating the host UCA Sugar Bears 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16) Saturday afternoon at the Prince Center.
Southeastern looked to pull away early as a kill and a service ace by
Kailin Newsome was part of a four-point run by the Lady Lions which turned a 6-5 SLU lead to a 10-5 Lady Lion advantage. UCA made a run of their own to get it back down to a one-point SLU lead at 12-11, however, a kill by
Cicily Hidalgo started a five-point Southeastern run which included a kill by
Hannah Brewer and was capped off with a service ace by
Gracie Duplechein to make it 17-11 SLU.
Leading 19-15, a Sugar Bear service error started a four-point pus by the Lady Lions that all but put the set out of reach as a
Rachel Hartmann ace, a kill by Newsome, and a block by Duplechein and
Jacqueline Arrington put Southeastern up 23-15. It took six rallies to get there, but a UCA set error on set point gave SLU the first set, 25-19.
SLU again was quick to jump on the Sugar Bears to start the second set as another Newsome kill put Southeastern up 8-2. However, UCA went on its own run, scoring on nine of the next 11 rallies to take the lead at 11-10. Hidalgo answered with back-to-back kills to get the Lady Lions back on the serve, and then blocks by Hartmann and Brewer and Brewer and Hidalgo put Southeastern up for good in the set. Leading 19-16, SLU scored on six of the final seven rallies to secure a 2-0 lead in the match as a Hidalgo kill on set point secured the set win.
UCA came out swinging in the third set, immediately jumping out to an 8-3 lead. Trailing 10-5, SLU made a run to get back in the set as a solo block by Brewer started an 8-3 Southeastern run as a kill by Newsome tied the set score at 13-13. But each time SLU tied the score, the Sugar Bears jumped back ahead. With the set tied at 20-20 following another Newsome kill, the Sugar Bears rattled off four straight points to get on set point, which they would cash in two rallies later to take the force a fourth set with a 25-21 decision in the third.
Southeastern made sure early that the match would not extend to a fifth set. With the set tied 2-2, Hartmann scored a kill which set off a 7-1 SLU run which ended on a UCA attack error that put the Lady Lions up 9-3. Leading 14-9, another Hartmann kill started another big SLU run, this time Southeastern scored six straight points to take a 20-9 lead following a kill by Newsome. It took the Lady Lions 12 kills to get the final five points, but Hartmann finished it off with another kill to end the set and match.
"I really thought we did a much better job handling tough serves from both opponents this weekend," said White. "We did a great job adjusting our offense based on what Central Arkansas and Little Rock were trying to take away."
Newsome and Hidalgo both tallied double-doubles in the match with Newsome leading all scorers with 16 kills to go with 14 digs and a service ace. Hidalgo had 13 kills and a match-high 18 digs to go with two block assists. Duplechein had a very effective match, tallying 38 assists, two service aces, and a block assist. Hartmann finished the match with seven kills, 15 digs, four block assists, and a service ace. Brewer had three block assists and a solo block to go with an ace and two kills. Arrington had two block solos, two block assists, and six kills.
Now in the triple digits in collegiate coaching wins, White says it wouldn't have been possible without the many people who have been by his side throughout this early part of his career.
"I just want to say thank you to my staffs and athletes that have helped me achieve this milestone," said White. "I hope we can win many more together in the future."
With win number 100 behind him, White looks to lead the Lady Lions (3-2) to three wins in San Marcos, Texas starting on Thursday as Southeastern takes part in the Bobcat Classic. SLU opens play in the Bobcat Classic on Thursday with a match against the host Texas State (3-1). Opening serve of the match against the Bobcats is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Strahan Arena at the University Events Center and will be live 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.
