Southeastern Louisiana battled Sam Houston tooth and nail for four tight sets before the Bearkats came away with a hard-earned 25-19 23-25 25-17 25-18 volleyball victory Saturday afternoon.

Deveney Wells-Gibson led Sam Houston with 16 kills in 54 attempts. The junior outside hitter also totaled 20 digs defensively.

Haley Neisler also was in double figures with 12 kills. Sam Houston totaled 12 blocks with Neisler having a hand in seven.

Tiffany Thomas was the offensive leader for the Lions with 10 kills.

Sam Houston ups its season record to 12-7 and stands 9-1 in Southland action. Southeastern Louisiana drops to 7-16 for the year and 1-10 in conference play.

With ties and lead changes in each set, the two teams were deadlocked 27 times with 13 lead changes.

Sam Houston led by only two points, 18-16, in fourth before closing out the match by winning seven of the next nine points.

Tayler Gray also produced 20 digs and had a double-double with 47 assists on the Kats' 51 kills.

Shelby Genung and Carling Urben each were credited with four block assists. Brenna Homer, starting the match at libero and then moving into the front line in the third and fourth sets, totaled 16 digs.