ABILENE, Texas – Coming off its first back-to-back Southland Conference sweeps of the 2018 season, the Northwestern State volleyball will attempt to pack more than just its bags for a pair of road matches.
 
In addition to the typical equipment the Lady Demons took with them to west Texas, they also packed something a little less tangible – momentum.
 
Thanks to consecutive sweeps of McNeese and Lamar on Oct. 11 and 13, the Lady Demons have won two straight conference matches and will try to extend that streak to three when they face Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. Thursday.
 
"To be able to break up a tough weekend against Central (Arkansas) and SFA with some wins for that validation of, yes, we were playing at a high level definitely plays a role, and I think we can take it with us when we play Abilene Christian and Sam Houston, which both will be very tough matches," fourth-year head coach Sean Kiracofe said. "I think (momentum) plays a role, but you never know until you hit the court if it's going to come to fruition."
 
Northwestern State (8-10, 4-4) began to pick up momentum as sophomore Hannah Brister again showcased the versatility that made her the 2017 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year.
 
Brister keyed the consecutive sweeps this past week, knocking down 18 kills while committing just two errors. Following a standout freshman season, Brister ranks second on the team in kills (163) and in kills per set (2.59) and third in block solos (4), block assists (34) and total blocks (38).
 
"There's no way to hide her anymore," Kiracofe said. "People know what to expect. Even in preseason, teams looked at her success from last year and game planned against her. She had more attention from the defense.
 
"She owes some sort of gratitude to Madeline Drake, who has had some teams game plan to stop her because she's had a great year. While it's only for one rotation, the attention given to Madeline has opened some things up for Hannah."
 
Brister's .533 hitting percentage across the McNeese and Lamar matches helped NSU hit at least .258 in both matches, continuing a trend in SLC matches. When Northwestern State hits at least .225 against conference foes, it is 4-0.
 
Abilene Christian (10-10, 7-1) will challenge the Lady Demons' efficient offensive attack. The Wildcats rank third in the Southland in blocks per set in conference matches (2.33) and are fifth opponents' hitting percentage in conference matches (.196).
 
 "They returned a lot of talent," KIracofe said. "The previous staff, Jason Bibler, did a great job. What stood out to me, they have a lot of players from a roster-designation standpoint who were middles. They have a middle who is a setter, middles who are right sides, middles who are outsides, middles who are middles. It's a lot of middles and a libero. Being a middle myself, I thought, 'This guy is a genius. Why didn't I think of this?'
 
"Those kids have been playing for a while and can play at a high level. They are really offensive and have a great block. It's hard to score against them."
 
Northwestern State has been equally tough to score against in conference matches, ranking third in opponents' hitting percentage (.177) and fifth in blocks per set (2.17).
 
Reigning SLC Libero of the Year Channing Burleson continues to lead the conference in digs per set (4.97) in all matches and is fourth in that category in conference matches (4.63). Burleson's overall mark ranks her 47^th nationally, and her 1,714 career digs places her 26^th among active Division I players.