NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State volleyball will host its annual 'Dig Pink' match this Thursday at Prather Coliseum seeking to raise money and awareness about breast cancer during the squad's 7 o'clock match against New Orleans.

In attendance will be representatives from the Natchitoches American Cancer Society who will be providing information and taking donations. Fans will have the opportunity to pledge by point, ace or just give a general gift.

"I think every player in our program and I think a lot of people that will be at our matches in one way or another have been affected by breast cancer," fifth-year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman said. "Our volleyball community has done a very good job fundraising for the cause. (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) donates the pink jerseys for us so we have to give them the props there. (Our players) take that with a little bit of pride in knowing what it means and what's behind that."

Northwestern State athletics will also be giving away free #FORKCANCER shirts while supplies last. As always, admission into the match is free.

On the court, the Lady Demons (7-12 overall, 4-2 SLC) are coming off a split last weekend highlighted by a sweep over Houston Baptist on Thursday and a 3-1 loss at the hands of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday.

"Coming into the weekend, probably privately we said we'd be happy if we could get one of two against two teams that play very well at home," Hernesman said. "For us to get that win against HBU I think in the fashion that we did when we didn't play our best … our defense made big plays when we need them to."

NSU has been known for its defense thus far this season, currently leading the Southland Conference in opponent hitting percentage (.146), blocks per set (2.51) and digs per set (18.39).

Heading into its 20^th game of the season, NSU has garnered several notable individual performances including middle blocker Glynna Johnson who ranks 39^th nationally with 1.30 blocks per set.  Fellow middle blocker Mackenzie Neely is closing in on 200 kills this season, currently sitting at a team-leading 197 (2.86 per set) and 236 points (3.42 per set).

Setter Emily Johnson has added 332 assists (4.74 per set) while defensively, outside hitter Stacey DiFrancesco (3.54 per set) has tallied 269 digs alongside libero Bailey Martin's 216 (5.14 per set).

New Orleans (6-15 overall, 0-7 SLC) is seeking its first conference win and first overall victory since sweeping Alcorn State in a midweek match on Sept. 30. The Privateers are led by freshman Mikayl Seller-Wiebe who ranks eighth in the league with 0.31 service aces per set.

"Really for us it comes down to serving and passing," Hernesman said. "I feel like our defense is at a level we need to be. When we serve it well it means we can limit some of the things our opponents do offensively. The more insistent we are, we can utilize a lot of those big arms. If we get in that 13-15 kills per set range, we do really well because we can limit teams offensively but to do that we have to pass it."

Thursday's match marks the 14^th overall meeting between the two programs with the Privateers holding an 8-5 advantage. NSU took both meetings one season ago including a sweep at home on Sept. 21 and a 3-1 victory in New Orleans on Nov. 7.