HAMMOND, La. – The reigning, back-to-back Southland Conference regular season champion Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team returned to the court on Thursday, embarking on the quest for another SLC title.
 
"We have a great culture developed here," said SLU head volleyball coach Lee McBride, who is entering his first season leading the Lady Lions after being the associate head coach last season. The winningest coach in McNeese volleyball history and a winner of the SLC and Louisiana Coach of the Year awards, McBride was able to retain the services of 14 student-athletes who helped lead Southeastern to an undefeated conference record and regular season championship in 2024.
 
"Having all of those returning players is huge for us to go from what we did last year to doing better things this year," continued McBride, who will call on all of that experience since his style of volleyball remains similar to what he inherited.
 
"I think it's an advantage that I'm coming into a program where things were done similar to how I would have done things. I'm really excited about it and I'm enjoying it."
 
The Lady Lions return two All-Conference players from the 2024 squad which went 26-5 and rolled to a 16-0 record in the SLC, India Bennett and Kyra McKelvey
 
Bennett was one of the best blockers in the nation a season ago with her 1.54 block per set average being the fourth-highest in all of Division I. She was in the top 20 in the country in total blocks, block assists, and solo blocks, and she looks to do even better in her final season.
 
McKelvey showed her potential as the next big hitter for the Lady Lions a season ago, especially in her breakout performance when she tallied 21 kills on a .655 hitting percentage in a crucial, five-set win over Stephen F. Austin at home.
 
Joining Bennett in a stacked senior class is Alexis Logarbo on the right side with Lily Morgan on the outside as well, Peyton Stokley to set them, and Lexi Gonzalez in the back to keep opposing attacks up in the air.
 
McKelvey leads the junior class which will include returners Ainsley Driska, Taylor Stockwell and Carissa Young. The lone newcomer via transfer is in the junior class as well, Mina Petrovic, an outside hitter from Serbia.
 
The sophomore class is as experienced as any with Keira Beverly and Ashley Richardson back in the fold after both saw extensive playing time in 2024. Anicka Panchartek, Lindsey Wickersham, and Anne Brauckmiller all saw playing time in 2024 and will look to make their marks on the team this season as well.
 
Audrey Veilguth took a redshirt last season with the Lady Lions and will turn that time watching and working into quality, in-game time. The new batch of true freshmen are Abigail Bailey on the outside, and both Gracie Brown and Ayla Klingenberg in the middle.
 
With the first practices of the 2025 season now complete, McBride says he likes what he's seeing as the team gears up for the first match.
 
"There's an expectation of success here so we're looking to build and continue to do that," said McBride. "I love their attitudes, I love their work ethics, I love their willingness to be coached and to change and to do things for the better. It's a great vibe."
 
The Lady Lions kick off their 2025 season by hosting the Southeastern Showdown, taking on both ULM and Louisiana Tech on Aug. 29, the season's opening day. The match against the Warhawks is set for 12:30 p.m. while opening serve against the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. in the University Center. Both matches will be televised 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 on Twitter, @LionUpVB on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.