CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Southeastern Louisiana University beach volleyball team ended a historic run in the 2026 Southland Conference Beach Volleyball Championship, falling 3-1 against fourth-seed Houston Christian Friday morning at Water's Edge Park.
SLU (17-16, 4-2 SLC) closed out day three of the SLC Championship Tournament in a double elimination match against HCU (13-23, 3-3 SLC) to end its 2026 season. The Sandy Lions fell short in their hard-fought match against the Huskies, just shy of the program's first championship appearance. The green and gold finished the season with its most single season wins in program history, first CBVB Top 50 poll appearance and its very first semifinal match in school history.
Southeastern came out to a solid start as pair four Makayla Hicks and Cadie Kusy gained a 21-18 set one win. The duo returned in the second set with even more momentum to secure a dominant 21-14 victory to give SLU the lead, 1-0. HCU worked to regroup as its pair two claimed a 21-16, 21-15 win to equalize the match, 1-1.
The Sandy Lions battled to regain their lead as pair three Emmaleigh Vincent and Carley Petty worked to provide a spark of momentum. Petty and Vincent bounced back after closing out the first set down 21-7 to force set two down to the wire, but could not capitalize as the Huskies recorded a 21-19 victory. HCU took control with a 2-1 advantage as the green and gold struggled to consistently maintain its rhythm.
SLU's pair five Elizabeth Hardouin and Genevieve Schubert fought to stay within reach down the stretch against the Huskies, falling 21-19 in the first set. The duo worked to gain a surge of energy, but HCU held its lead to finish set two with a 21-15 win to record the overall victory for the Huskies, 3-1. With the victory, HCU advanced to the championship match to face No.1 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Southeastern ended with its best overall season in program history under first-year head coach Angie Simpson. SLU also closed out the 2026 season with six seniors in Mia McKinney, Makayla Hicks, Maggie Paiva, Carley Petty, Elizabeth Hardouin and Lauren Schlotzhauer.
Friday's Results:
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.
