CONWAY, AR -- Central Arkansas continued its unbeaten sweep through the Southland Conference as the Bears handed Sam Houston State its third three-set road loss in a battle of division leaders Thursday night.  

UCA won 25-19 25-18 25-22 to up its league-leading record to 15-0. The Bears are 26-3 for the season. Ce

ntral Arkansas has clinched the Southland regular season championship but are a year away from being eligible for post-season play.   Sam Houston dropped to 19-13 for the season and 11-4 in Southland action. The Bearkats will complete regular season play Saturday afternoon at Northwestern State. SHSU likely will be the number two seed behind Texas State in the Southland Conference post-season tournament which begins Friday at San Antonio.  

Anna Ferguson led the Bearkats with 18 kills. Carli Kolbe added nine. Chloe Smith was UCA's kill leader with 16. Bearkat setter Michelle Miller posted 33 assists while Kaylee Hawkins totaled 22 digs. 

Central Arkansas led wire-to-wire in the first set and allowed Sam Houston only one early led in the second frame. The third set saw three lead changes before the Bears put away the match.  

UCA totaled 51 kills and only eight errors in 123 attempts for a .350 hitting percentage while Sam Houston had 41 kills and 13 errors in 113 tries for a .248 hitting mean.  

Eight teams will qualify for the Southland Conference tournament next week hosted by UTSA. The tournament winner will receive the league's NCAA playoff berth.

For more information about tickets to Bearkat sports events, go on-line to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.