FRISCO, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University Volleyball team was placed fourth in the Southland Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll, the league office announced this morning.
 
After posting the third-best record (20-9, 12-4 in SLC) in the Southland in 2025, and returning the reigning SLC Player of the Year, the Lions totaled 88 points in the league's 2026 preseason poll and were tabbed fourth.
 
Stephen F. Austin was first in the poll, totaling 118 points and eight first-place votes. UTRGV was placed second, earning 113 points with a trio of first-place votes. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi received one vote as the top team in the SLC and finished third in the poll with 89 points, just one point ahead of SLU.
 
Southeastern will return 11 players from the 2025 squad. 2025 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention Kyra McKelvey and 2024 SLC All-Tournament Team honoree Keira Beverly headline the Lions to watch ahead of the season.
 
After earning Second Team All-SLC honors in 2024, McKelvey brought her game to a new level in 2025, establishing herself as one of the best players in the Southland Conference and SLU history. The First Team All-Louisiana outside hitter consistently placed among the top SLC student-athletes in hitting percentage (.340), kills (368), and points per set (3.94).
 
Before missing most of the 2025 season due to injury, Beverly was one of the best defensive players in the SLC during 2024. Beverly ended 2024 with 98 blocks, the second-highest mark on the team, and the sixth-most in the conference. She was also named the SLC Defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks.
 
SLU is set to end the preseason against Tulane Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center. Wednesday night's match is Youth Sports Night / Camp Reunion. SLU is inviting local youth sports teams to the match against the Green Wave. The teams in attendance at Wednesday's match will be spotlighted.
 
Southeastern will face Ole Miss in the team's season opener at the Ole Miss Invitational in Oxford, Miss, on Friday, Aug. 28.
 
Southland Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll

1. SFA – 118 points (8 first-place votes)

2. UTRGV – 113 points (3 first-place votes)

3. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 89 points (1 first-place vote)

4. Southeastern – 88 points

5. Lamar – 87 points

6. UIW – 86 points

7. HCU – 57 points

8. East Texas A&M – 49 points

9. McNeese – 45 points

10. LSU New Orleans – 28 points

11. Nicholls – 17 points 

12. Northwestern State - 15 points
 
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
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