NATCHITOCHES – After opening Southland Conference play with a five-set, 3-2 defeat of Southeastern Thursday evening at Prather Coliseum, the Northwestern State volleyball team hosts league newcomer New Orleans on Saturday at two o'clock.
 
The Lady Demons (4-8 overall, 1-0 SLC) are currently on a three-game winning streak while the Privateers (2-11, 0-1) dropped three straight sets to Stephen F. Austin Thursday night in Nacogdoches, Texas.
 
Freshman Ashley Elrod registered her third double-double in a row against the Lady Lions with 12 kills and 14 digs on the night. The Arlington, Texas, native also added two service aces.
 
With a match that posed 11 ties and lead changes, the Lady Demons put up three season-highs as Elrod notched 45 total attempts, Emily Johnson dished out 28 assists and Keelie Arneson dug up 30 SLU attacks.
 
After Thursday night's performance, Caiti O'Connell leads NSU with a 2.90 kills per set average, followed by Elrod with 2.80 kills/set, a team-high 15 service aces and 98 digs.
 
Setters Emily Johnson and Natalie Jaeger have provided 185 and 177 assists, respectively, as libero Arneson leads the league with 5.02 digs per set.
 
Amanda Kunz has put up 30 total blocks to sit tied for eigth with SFA's Justice Walker with 0.91 blocks per set.
 
UNO makes their Southland Conference debut as they transition back to Division I competition. The Privateers picked up two wins this past weekend at the Alabama State/Istap Collegiate Cup with wins over Savannah State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
 
With four returning starters and eight newcomers, UNO looks to make a mark in the Southland as they are led by Cara Sander and Marti Richmiller. Richmiller who post 1.77 and 1.72 kills per set averages.
 
Setter Celeste Ramirez has put up 174 assists, just ahead of Ariane Labrzycki with 115. Libero Lauren Levy has dug up 140 attacks on the season. 
 
Northwestern State will take a short break from league play with non-conference action at Louisiana Tech Tuesday night at 7:00 before hosting the Ladyjacks on Saturday Sept. 28 at two o'clock at Prather. Admission to all volleyball home games is free and Dominoes pizza is provided for free to all students in attendance.