The Lady Lions volleyball team defeated Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks last Thursday in the University Center. The Lady Lions made this game their pink game in support for Breast Cancer Awareness. This is the first time the Lady Lions have defeated the Ladyjacks since 2012.
Five of the Lady Lion players had their career high stats and the team finished the game with a season high attack percentage at .297.
“It’s the best we’ve played since I’ve been here,” said Head Coach Jim Smoot. “Stephen F. Austin is a really good team and I thought the consistent level we played is something I haven’t seen.”
The Lady Lions and the Ladyjacks split the first two sets, but it was the third set Southeastern began to dominate offensively. Junior middle blocker Landry Bullock recorded 12 of her career-high 19 kills in the third set. The Lady Lions finished the third set with a .415 attack percentage and 22 kills.
In the final set, the Lady Lions put the game away. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Friedman recorded seven of her career-high 18 kills in the final set, while senior middle blocker Veronica Turk helped the final set effort with an additional five kills.
Other Lady Lions who had a career night was senior setter Mikayla Shippy who dished out 57 assists, senior libero Brooke Balser recorded 25 digs and freshman defensive specialist Macey Stock who had 13 digs; her first double-digit digs in her career.
“I think we did really well,” said Friedman. “I think we all played as a team. We didn’t get down or anything, we just kept bouncing back.”
The Lady Lions went into this game following a loss to University of New Orleans on October 10. Defeating Stephen F. Austin, who is ranked third in the Southland Conference according to southland.org, has put the Lady Lions in good position to make the Southland Tournament.
“The conference is really even this year,” said Smoot. “I’m happy where we are. We talked with our girls. We know they had a few disappointing losses last week, but we aren’t even half way through the conference. Our goals are to make conference tournament first, then win the conference tournament and that’s definitely within reach.”
With their win against Northwestern State University on Saturday, their record is now 10-11 and 4-3 in conference. The Lady Lions next game will be against Incarnate Word on October 22 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Lion’s Roar / Jonathan Rhodes
Junior middle block Landry Bullock going for a kill in what was a career night for her, recording 19 kills for the game. Along with Bullock, four other Lady Lions had the best performances of their careers. The team won three sets to one.