Kats Looking To Secure Strong Tourney Seed
11/9/2016 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Matches 28-29
Thursday, Nov. 10 • 7:00 p.m. • Conway, Ark. • Prince Center
Sam Houston State (15-12, 9-5 SLC) vs Central Arkansas (13-13, 7-7 SLC)
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Saturday, Nov. 12 • 1:00 p.m. • Natchitoches, La. • Prather Coliseum
Sam Houston State (15-12, 9-5 SLC) at Northwestern State (12-17, 7-7 SLC)
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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Sam Houston State volleyball team will wrap up its regular season this weekend on the road when it travels to Central Arkansas and Northwestern State.
The Bearkats have already clinched a berth in next week's Southland Conference Tournament, which will also be held in Conway, Ark., but will be trying to secure a high seed this weekend. Currently the Kats hold the No. 3 seed for the tournament, a half game ahead of Houston Baptist and two games back of Stephen F. Austin for the No. 2 seed.
Coach Brenda Gray's squad can clinch the No. 3 seed with one win in its last two matches. The Kats will enter the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the Southland, having won their last four matches in a row after rolling to three victories last week at home.
The Kats continue to be one of the top offensive teams in the league since Southland Conference play started, hitting .216 against SLC competition and ranking second in both kills (13.79 kps) and assists (13.09 aps). Brooke White averaged 3.91 kills per set in three matches last week and has had at least 10 in each of her last 13 matches.
In addition to White, both Jordyn Vaughn and Sarah Sherman are averaging better than 3.00 kills per set during Sam's current four-match win streak. Setter Michelle Griffith has averaged nearly 12 assists per set while directing the Kats to .268 hitting during the streak, while Taylor Cunningham and Claire Kilpatrick have been stellar defensively with Cunningham averaging 1.00 blocks and Kilpatrick 4.33 digs per set.
Both the Demons and Sugar Bears will be looking to secure a strong seed for the league tournament as well. Central Arkansas has surged back to a .500 mark in the league with three straight wins since a loss to the Bearkats on October 22, while Northwestern State has struggled with losses in five of their last six matches entering the weekend.
THE SERIES
vs Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas owns an 8-5 advantage all-time against Sam Houston with all matches being played since the Sugar Bears joined the Southland Conference for the 2006 season. The teams split two matches last season with each team winning on the road, but the Kats will be going for the season sweep on Thursday after picking up a win over UCA on October 22.
vs Northwestern State
The Kats are 45-6 all-time against the Demons after taking down the Demons earlier this season in Huntsville. Sam is looking to sweep the season series from Northwestern State for the second straight season.
