HAMMOND, La. – The two-time reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University volleyball team rolled to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 victory over McNeese in the league opener for both teams Thursday night in the University Center.
Southeastern (9-4, 1-0 SLC) hit .346 for the match on the way to its fourth consecutive victory. The visiting Cowgirls fell to 4-9 overall and 0-1 in league action.
The Lady Lions were just shy of a season-high for hitting percentage with
Kyra McKelvey and
Alexis Logarbo leading the way. McKelvey finished with a match-high 15 kills and a .583 hitting percentage, while Logarbo hit .500 on the way to a 13-kill performance.
SLU continued to employ its dual-setter strategy to positive results.
Ashley Richardson and
Peyton Stokley contributed 24 and 19 assists, respectively, with Stokley adding a match-high three service aces.
The Lady Lions were able to limit McNeese to a .149 hitting percentage in Thursday's victory. Back in the lineup after a two-match absence,
India Bennett led SLU with five blocks, while Logarbo chipped in with three of her own.
Lexi Gonzalez posted nine digs from her libero spot.
Kayla Wilson and Ava Henry led the Cowgirls with eight kills apiece. Kinga Ziolkowska (28 assists) and Lauren Fuller (nine digs) were the other McNeese leaders.
McNeese held a 13-11 midway through the opening set, but Southeastern took control with a 5-0 run aided by three straight Cowgirl attack errors. A big kill by Logarbo clinched the opening set for the Lady Lions.
McKelvey was dominant in the second set to stake SLU to a two-set advantage. The Navarre, Fla. native racked up nine kills in the 25-17 set for the Lady Lions.
SLU never trailed in the deciding third set. Logarbo led the way with five third-set kills, while Bennett and
Ayla Klingenberg added four kills each. The trio of Southeastern third-set kill leaders combined for a .500 hitting percentage in the final set as SLU completed its third straight sweep.
SLU will close out a busy week Saturday, welcoming Nicholls (10-4, 0-1 SLC), which lost a five-set decision to league foe New Orleans Thursday, for a noon league contest in the University Center. Fans are encouraged to wear gold for Solid Gold Saturday. Saturday's match will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard in the Hammond area on 90.9 The Lion.
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 X and Instagram or like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
