CONWAY, Arkansas – If the Northwestern State volleyball team is to collect its first 3-0 Southland Conference start since 2013, it will have to do so by defeating a burgeoning rival.
 
The Lady Demons take aim at their third straight road victory to start conference play Tuesday when they square off with Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. inside the Farris Center.
 
Northwestern State (7-10, 2-0) and Central Arkansas (8-7, 2-1) have split their previous four meetings, including title-match showdowns in the 2013 and 2014 Southland Conference tournaments.
 
The history is there between the programs, but the faces have changed.
 
"Our numbers of who have that history is dwindling," second-year head coach Sean Kiracofe said. "I know they'll talk about it amongst themselves in the locker room before the match, and that's a good thing. The veterans will tell the younger players the importance of this match, and how this is another tough team. It won't be hard to get them to see the importance of this match."
 
NSU's most recent 3-0 start to conference play came three seasons ago. The Lady Demons never have started conference play with three straight road wins.
 
This year's edition will not lack for confidence entering the third and final entry in a three-match road swing.
 
"Just being able to win a few on the road is always a big boost," Kiracofe said. "To go 2-0 in conference, whether at home or on the road, helps with confidence."
 
Northwestern State is off to a 3-2 start in true road matches, highlighted by consecutive wins at McNeese and Nicholls this past week.
 
NSU turned in its most consistent back-to-back offensive matches of the season, topped by a season-best .339 hitting percentage in a sweep of McNeese. Defensively, NSU outblocked its first two SLC opponents 11-2.
 
Central Arkansas presents a different challenge for the Lady Demons offense. The Sugar Bears rank second in the Soutlhand and 86^th nationally in blocks per set (2.28). Individually, Megan Nash ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per set (1.09).
 
"We've been swinging really smart," Kiracofe said. "Some of it was due to matchups, and some of it was what we were working on in practice – recognizing what's in front of you, when to be aggressive and when to be smart. All of our outsides were able to implement that in the matches and saw it pay off this weekend. (UCA) is a bigger challenge, a bigger and more experienced block on the right side (Samantha Anderson).
 
"Now that we have some more reps under our belts in those situations, we should be able to better handle ourselves during the match."
 
NOTABLES: Sophomore libero Channing Burleson ranks 19^th nationally in digs per set (5.24). Burleson is 85 digs away from entering Northwestern State's single-season top 10 list … Senior setter Natalie Jaeger delivered her 124^th career ace Saturday, moving her into sixth all-time on the NSU career list. Jaeger is one ace from tying former teammate Mackenzie Neely for fifth on NSU's all-time list.