NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State volleyball program will honor its senior class on Friday when the squad faces Stephen F. Austin in its final regular season home match from Prather Coliseum at 7 o'clock.

NSU (11-15, 8-5 Southland Conference) will honor seniors Stacey DiFrancesco, Mackenzie Neely, Emily Johnson and Vanessa Coleman at the conclusion of the match. The unit has played an integral role in the development of the program including two 20-win seasons, three SLC tournament berths and one league title appearance amongst numerous other accolades.

"I know this group is going to be emotional and Stephanie (Hernesman) and I will probably be emotional too," fifth-year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman said. "They've been here since the start for us. They're family to us. The tough part for us is knowing they won't be around every day.

"They're very focused and determined. Our goal is to be playing good volleyball at the end and SFA is going to be a great test of the focus level that we'll need much like Central Arkansas was last week."

Stephen F. Austin (20-7, 13-0 SLC) is a program that has gone unblemished in conference play. The Ladyjacks are the league leaders in hitting percentage (.232), assists per set (12.76) and kills per set (13.40).

SFA's Jacque Allen and Justice Walker hold the Southland's top two spots in hitting percentage at .341 and .333 respectively. Closely behind is Jill Ivy who ranks eight at a .266 hitting percentage.

"They've got five very effective attackers and Paige (Holland) does a very nice job as a setter attacking," Hernesman said. "For us to serve it well and take them out of system and eliminate a couple of those options becomes very crucial."

In the two league rivals' first meeting of the season, NSU was effective in holding the Ladyjacks high-powered offense to a .171 hitting percentage but the Lady Demons hit just .103 and were swept from Shelton Gym.

"I think the difference the first time we played them as serve and serve receive," Hernesman said. "The biggest priority for us this match is to handle the first contact real well. We've got to be able to take them out of their offense."

NSU ranks first in opponent hitting percentage (.152) and blocks per set (2.49) and is second in digs per set (17.58). Leading the way for the defense is junior middle blocker Glynna Johnson, who ranks first in the league with 132 total blocks and 1.28 per set. Sophomore libero Bailey Martin is third in digs per set at 5.22.

Following Friday, NSU will close out its regular season with a two-match road swing including stops at Incarnate Word next Thursday and Abilene Christian on Saturday.