8-8 Kathryn Wristen, Alexis Warren, Victoria Harris
Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

Lady Demon Volleyball Drew Bartlett - Graduate Assistant

Lady Demons set to host Alcorn in 2017 home opener

Lady Demon Volleyball Drew Bartlett - Graduate Assistant

Lady Demons set to host Alcorn in 2017 home opener

NATCHITOCHES – Coming off 16 straight road matches, the Northwestern State volleyball team hosts Alcorn State on Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Lady Demons' 2017 home opener.

September 28 marks the latest date the Lady Demons have opened at home in third-year head coach Sean Kiracofe's Northwestern State tenure.

To help celebrate the event, NSU is expecting up to 300 elementary-aged students and teachers as the team hosts Elementary School Day at Prather Coliseum.

"It's going to be great to be home," Kiracofe said. "It's going to be great to have that environment in Prather."

NSU (5-11, 1-1 Southland Conference) previously faced Alcorn (2-22, 0-5 SWAC) on Aug. 30, a match the Lady Demons swept 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-12).

In the past meeting, the Lady Demons outhit the Lady Braves .386 to -.043. The Lady Demons recorded 46 kills in the match, with freshman Hannah Brister putting down a match-high nine kills.

On the season, Brister is third on the team in kills per set with 2.32. Brister has been the most efficient non-middle blocker in hitting this season, holding a .220 hitting percentage.

Outside hitter Reagan Rogers paces the Lady Demons with 2.90 kills per set and 171 total kills.

One of the trademarks of this season's team is the ability to keep rallies alive with strong defensive ball control. Libero Channing Burleson leads the way for the Lady Demons defensively with a team-high 265 digs on the season.

Burleson needs 22 digs to take fifth in the career NSU record book. She is currently sitting sixth with 1,078 career digs.

NSU began the season with 16 consecutive road tilts, last playing at home on Nov. 12, 2016 against Sam Houston State.

"It's kind of the deal," Kiracofe said. You know you're going to travel. The good thing about traveling is that all you get to worry about is volleyball and eating.

"When you're home, you have to worry about school and everything else that you have to do in the office. We'll play wherever you put a net up."

Following Thursday's match, the Lady Demons will return to the road to face conference foe Central Arkansas on Saturday. UCA (13-2, 2-1) owns the best overall record among Southland members.


 
 
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Players Mentioned

Channing Burleson

#1 Channing Burleson

OH/L
5' 8"
Junior
Reagan Rogers

#5 Reagan Rogers

OH
6' 0"
Junior
Hannah Brister

#11 Hannah Brister

OH
6' 0"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Channing Burleson

#1 Channing Burleson

5' 8"
Junior
OH/L
Reagan Rogers

#5 Reagan Rogers

6' 0"
Junior
OH
Hannah Brister

#11 Hannah Brister

6' 0"
Freshman
OH