NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Northwestern State coach Sean Kiracofe had several ways to assess and to describe what having nine days off between matches meant to his team.
 
He chose to focus on it being a positive.
 
"It gives us the unique opportunity to be the most rested team in the conference toward the end of the season and going into the conference tournament," the first-year head coach said. "It's something we feel can be a blessing for us."
 
Northwestern State (6-20, 4-9 Southland Conference) returns to action for the first time since Oct. 29 when it faces Stephen F. Austin (18-12, 9-4) for the second time this season at 2 p.m. Saturday.
 
In the first matchup between the teams, Northwestern State played perhaps its most complete match of the season, sweeping the Ladyjacks at Prather Coliseum.
 
NSU's senior trio of Glynna Johnson, Amanda Kunz and Caiti O'Connell combined for 28 kills and a hitting percentage of .500 against Stephen F. Austin.
 
"It's going to be interesting," Kiracofe said. "It's always different playing someone at their home instead of here in Prather. Our girls are ready for this. They look back to that match. It was our most complete match. Everyone was clicking, and it shows what we are capable of. I don't think we have to repeat that exactly to beat SFA, but we need to get close."
 
The Ladyjacks have wrapped up a spot in the eight-team Southland Conference Tournament, which will be held Nov. 20-22 at Central Arkansas.
 
Northwestern State, meanwhile, is one game behind Southeastern Louisiana for the No. 8 seed in the tournament. Both Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word are ahead of NSU in the conference standings but remain ineligible for postseason play as they continue their transition to full Division I membership.
 
NSU has three matches remaining and will face Stephen F. Austin before returning home to complete the season against Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian.
 
Southeastern Louisiana closes its season with a home matches against Lamar (Saturday) and Central Arkansas (Nov. 12) sandwiched around a Nov. 10 road match at Nicholls.
 
"We still hold our destiny in our hands," said Kiracofe, whose team enters the weekend as the Southland's top serving team (1.87 aces per set).
 
"These next three matches mean a lot to us. Each one of them does. Obviously, the rivalry match with SFA and getting to play them for the second time (matters). They all matter going into the conference tournament. We just need to make sure we are focused every time we play in these next three matches."