NATCHITOCHES – Coming off arguably its biggest comeback of the season in a 3-2 win over Lamar on Thursday night, the Northwestern State volleyball team continues its homestand on Saturday, hosting Sam Houston State at 2 o'clock from Prather Coliseum.

NSU (10-13, 7-3 Southland Conference) enters the weekend third in the league standings, two spots ahead of the visiting Bearkats (12-9, 5-3 SLC) and will put its perfect 5-0 home record on the line against a program that recently pushed undefeated conference members Central Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin to five sets.

"They run an unconventional offense so there are some adaptations we are going to have to make to our defensive system that we don't make for other schools," fifth-year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman said. "We've prepared for them the last few years so we have a better handle on what they do offensively. We just have to execute."

The Bearkats sit near the top of several conference categories including second only to Northwestern State in opponent hitting percentage (.170), second in service aces per set (1.57), third in assists per set (12.16) and third in kills per set (13.02).

"Their back court defense is so good," Hernesman said. "I think that's what makes them good defensively is that there's a relentlessness they play with. They do a very nice job keeping the ball in play. Their intensity is the thing we'll need to match."

Sam Houston is led by senior Devene Wells-Gibson who boasts the conference's top spot with 4.70 kills per set and ranks second with 0.43 service aces per set.

"Their offense runs through Well-Gibson," Hernesman said. "Devene is such a dynamic player and so skilled. That's where you have to start is with her. If you can't slow her down, they can have a very big game which is easier said than done."

NSU will look to counter with its consistently strong defensive play led by junior Glynna Johnson's 1.26 blocks per set, good enough for third in the league, and sophomore Bailey Martin's 5.09 digs per set, also ranking her third. As a unit, the Lady Demons lead the league in opponent hitting percentage (.149), blocks (2.49) and digs (17.89).

"Our mindset since conference season has been one match at a time," Hernesman said. "We're seeing the top half of the conference now. We've got to be able to improve on everything we're doing every day in the gym. We want to build upon what we're doing defensively so we're prepared for anything that comes at us."

Saturday's match between the two league foes will be the 46^th all-time dating back to 1984. The Bearkats hold a commanding 40-5 advantage, although since the Hernesman era began in 2010, Sam Houston holds a marginal 3-2 edge over NSU.
 
The match is the second of three straight at home for NSU as the Lady Demons prepare to host league-leader Central Arkansas and its 38-match conference win-streak on Thursday at7 o'clock.

Saturday will also be Boy Scout's Day with several local troops expected to be in attendance.