HAMMOND, La. – Five student-athletes represented Southeastern Louisiana University's beach volleyball team as they were named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team Tuesday morning, in an announcement by the conference office.
Elizabeth Hardouin, Makayla Hicks, Mia McKinney, Cadie Kusy and Carley Petty claimed this honor after maintaining excellence in the classroom and the sand. The Sandy Lions closed out the 2026 spring semester with a 3.44 cumulative grade point average and achieved their most single season wins in program history, finishing 17-16 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Southeastern also broke program history with three different pairs securing SLC Pair of the Week and reaching No. 49 in the CBVB Top 50 poll.
Hardouin, a native of New Orleans, La., finished the 2026 season with a 3.33 grade point average after ending 18-12 overall and 18-9 a part of SLU's pair five. Alongside teammate Genevieve Shubert, Hardouin broke the most single season wins in program history and was named SLC All-Conference (Second Team). The duo claimed SLC Pair of the Week (April 20) and finished 13 matches in two-set victories.
Hicks, an Oceanside, Calif. native, adds this accomplishment to her collection of awards gained this season including All-Conference (Second Team) and Pair of the Week (March 17). Hicks closed out the season 21-10 overall and proved to be a part of a dominant pair four duo for Southeastern, standing 20-5. The graduate senior and pair partner, Kusy, reached the most single season wins for pair four in program history. Hicks maintained a 3.8 grade point average and secured big wins over No. 12 LSU, Tulane and North Alabama.
McKinney, a Humble, Texas native, ended her senior campaign with a 3.6 GPA and helped SLU gain its highest SLC Championship Tournament standing as a two-seed in program history. McKinney broke program history with a career milestone of 55 wins during her time in Hammond, America, finished 11 matches in two-set victories and held a six-match winning streak with pair partner Maggie Paiva early in the season.
Kusy, a native of Prairieville, La., closed out a successful rookie season with a 3.9 grade point average and 21-10 overall record. In her first season with the green and gold, Kusy provided a spark for Southeastern throughout the season and reached the most single season wins for pair four in program history with pair partner Hicks. The freshman was named SLC All-Conference (Second Team) and claimed SLC Pair of the Week (March 17). As pair four, Kusy and Hicks finished the 2026 season 20-5 and ended with three wins in the SLC Championship Tournament.
Petty, a League City, Texas native, closed out her career at Southeastern with a 3.9 GPA and aided the program to reach its most single wins. Petty graduated in Elementary Education and helped the Sandy Lions post their first SLC Tournament run with two wins. The senior also added to the culture, helping SLU secure its first appearance in the CBVB Top 50 poll to close out its successful season.
To be eligible for all-academic distinction, an athlete must hold a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average through the semester prior to the sport's championship, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating school prior to the current season, and participated in at least 50 percent of the team's competitions during the most recently completed season. Student-Athlete of the Year nominees must have held at least a 3.5 GPA and have completed at least two years of athletic competition at the nominating school, including the current season.
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.
