Sandy Lions Secure Best Mid-Season Conference Record in Program History

3/22/2026 4:46:00 PM

Southeastern closes out the weekend 3-1 with commanding wins over SFA and Nicholls to secure its best mid-season conference record in program history

YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University beach volleyball team closed out day two of the Southland Conference Mid-Season Invitational 2-0 Sunday afternoon at Sugar Beach.

SLU (9-10, 5-2 SLC) ended the final day of the mid-season conference event undefeated as the squad claimed its best mid-season league record in program history while claiming a two-match winning streak. Southeastern closed out the weekend 3-1 with historic momentum, securing the most conference wins in program history.

The Sandy Lions gained a commanding 4-1 victory over Stephen F. Austin (4-9, 1-4 SLC) to start the day in the sand. The Sandy Lions came out to a strong start as pair four and five claimed dominant 21-17, 21-18 wins. The Jacks regrouped to force three-sets on court nine and avoid the shutout, but pair one Mia Sauers and Gabriella Hrubanova stepped up for SLU to finalize the victory with a 21-10, 21-14 edge.

Southeastern returned to the sand, compounding its winning streak with a 4-1 win over conference rival Nicholls (6-8, 0-2 SLC). Mia McKinney and Maggie Paiva dominated on court seven with a 21-9, 21-9 victory over the Colonels while Sauers and Hrubanova finished on a tear with a 21-8, 21-9 win. Nicholls bounced back on court three as its pair two avoided the shutout with a tough two-set victory, but the green and gold quickly responded to seal the deal.

The Sandy Lions will return to the sand Saturday, March 28 to compete in the Sandy Polk Invitational in Lake Charles, La. SLU will face conference rival McNeese and Tarleton State on the road.

Sunday's Results:

Match 1: Southeastern 4, Stephen F. Austin 1
	SLU	SFA	Winner	Score
1	Gabriela Hrubanova/Mia Sauers	Savannah Johnson, Reese Rich	SLU	21-10, 21-14
2	Carley Petty/Taylor Stockwell	Brynn Dowd/Lara Gilardi	SFA	21-14, 12-21, 15-9
3	Mia McKinney/Maggie Paiva	Gabi Damborowski/Berkley Howerton	SLU	21-11, 21-13
4	Makayla Hicks/Cadie Kusy	Bernice Anders/Mikaela McCoy	SLU	21-7, 21-18
5	Elizabeth Hardouin/Genevieve Schubert	Mikaela Dlsolopez/ Giana Reamer	SLU	21-18, 21-17

Match 2: Southeastern 4, Nicholls 1
	SLU	NCH	Winner	Score
1	Gabriela Hrubanova/Mia Sauers	Hailey Mason/Ana Valentim	SLU	21-8, 21-9
2	Taylor Stockwell/Ally Alfonso	Tierney Terrell/Addi Prine	NCH	21-18, 21-19
3	Mia McKinney/Maggie Paiva	Brooklyn Wilkinson/Ariana Matallana	SLU	21-9, 21-9
4	Makayla Hicks/Cadie Kusy	Madison Smith, Carly Lang	SLU	21-14, 21-14
5	Elizabeth Hardouin/Genevieve Schubert	Claire Reed/Raegan Erickson	SLU	21-17, 21-12

GOLDEN SAND CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern beach volleyball program are encouraged to join the Golden Sand Club. Lion beach volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to the Golden Sand Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern beach volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.lionsports.net/sports/2026/1/29/golden-sand-club.aspx.

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpBeach on Twitter, @LionUpBeach on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

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