HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University Volleyball team is set to host the Southeastern Showdown tournament this weekend at the University Center, beginning Friday, Sept. 11, and ending Sunday, Sept. 13.
 
SLU (1-5) is set to face off with Texas Southern (0-7), Charlotte (2-4), and LSU (2-3) this upcoming weekend. The tournament will consist of five matches, four of which will be played in the University Center.
 
LSU will host Charlotte in Baton Rouge, La., to begin the tourney at 11 a.m. Friday. Southeastern will host Texas Southern at 12 p.m. Friday, then battle Charlotte at 7 p.m. After a neutral match between the Texas Southern Tigers and the 49ers at 12 p.m. Saturday, SLU will take on LSU in the final match of the tournament Sunday at 2 p.m. All of Southeastern matches will be televised on ESPN+.
 
Kyra McKelvey has remained SLU's top attacker through six matches, tied for second in the Southland Conference in kills per set at 3.38. Her 81 kills are also tied for the second-best mark in the league. Keira Beverly ranks fourth in the SLC in hitting percentage, attacking at a .353 mark. Ashley Richardson stands among the top setters in the Southland, averaging 8.14 assists per set to place fourth in the conference. After a career-best seven blocks against Southern, Ainsley Driska placed herself in the top-10 blockers in the league with 0.86 rejections per set (7^th).
 
Texas Southern is seeking its first win of 2026, having faced familiar faces to SLU in East Texas A&M, HCU, and most recently UTRGV. Lauren Battle's 49 kills and 54.0 points lead the Tigers. Ava Ray has paced Texas Southern with 88 assists, with Kadence Davison adding 61 through her six matches. On the defensive end, Aaliyah Brown leads the team with 14 blocks. The Tigers have shared defensive duties with Ray and Lauanna Pino tallying 47 and 44 digs each.
 
After winning two of its first three matches, Charlotte has lost its last three games. However, the 49ers took NC State to five sets in the team's most recent matchup. Against the Wolfpack, Clara Briley led Charlotte with 16 kills, while Mariam Mushkudiani notched 15 kills. Harper Hall (21) and Milena Lopez (19) combined for 40 assists. Both Hall (15) and Chloe Maughan (10) posted double-digit digs in the match.
 
After back-to-back wins to start 2026, LSU fell to Michigan State, Michigan, and NC State in its last three matches. Senior Jurnee Robinson has been the most impactful player for the Tigers. The back-to-back Louisiana Player of the Year has totaled a Southeastern Conference-leading 117 kills through five games. Takyla Brown's 167 assists are the most by any Tiger this season. Kiley Brooks has the most digs for LSU with 79 through five matches. Robinson and Jessica Jones are tied for the team-leading mark with 17 blocks each.
 
Following the Southeastern Showdown, the Lions will end their five-match homestand against UL Lafayette in the University Center, Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. The match will be televised on ESPN+.
 
Southeastern Showdown Schedule – Sept. 11-13
Friday, Sept. 11
Charlotte at LSU – 11 a.m.*
Texas Southern vs. Southeastern – 12 p.m.
Charlotte vs. Southeastern – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Charlotte vs. Texas Southern – 12 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13
LSU vs. Southeastern – 2 p.m.
 
*- denotes match played in Baton Rouge
 
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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