NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State volleyball team takes a break in its Southland Conference schedule to face in-state rival Louisiana Tech Tuesday night at seven o'clock at Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston.
 
The Lady Demons have won four of their last five contests to put up a 5-8 overall mark, 2-0 in the Southland, as the Lady Techsters post a 6-8 overall record and are set to begin their first-year Conference-USA schedule on Thursday against the University of Texas-El Paso.
 
Caiti O'Connell, a 6-1 outside hitter, leads the Lady Demons with 2.95 kills per set while registering 14 service aces, five of them against SLC foe Southeastern in the 3-2 nail-biting win Thursday night at Prather Coliseum. Freshman Ashley Elrod recorded two double-doubles last week over Southern Mississippi and the Lady Lions, respectively.
 
The Arlington, Texas, native knocks down 2.79 kills per set while digging up 2.33 attacks per set. O'Connell and Elrod have each put up 17 blocks on the season.
 
Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week Keelie Arneson sits second in the league with 5.62 digs per set after picking up 73 opponent attacks last week. Her 30 digs against Southeastern was a season-high.
 
Louisiana Tech dropped three straight sets to Central Arkansas Friday night. The Lady Techsters are led by Rebecca Redgen, who knocks down 3.24 kills per set and a .192 attack percentage. Regden also digs up 1.69 digs per set and has put up 14 total blocks.
 
Setter Maria Coelho has dished out 8.86 assists per set and recorded a team-high 28 service aces. Libero Alejandra Aviles notes 3.64 digs per set and 13 service aces.
 
The Lady Demons will return home on Saturday to resume SLC play against conference rival Stephen F. Austin at 2:00 at Prather.