HAMMOND – On paper, Southeastern Louisiana's position in the Southland Conference volleyball standings would not engender much more than a passing glance for many.
 
For Northwestern State coach Sean Kiracofe, it is a reminder to his team to stay focused for its 1 p.m. Southland matchup with the Lions on Saturday.
 
"They've stung us a few times," Kiracofe said. "Even though their win-loss record isn't very good right now, they've gone four sets in their past five matches, and they've been against teams like Sam Houston and Abilene, who we went four with. There's no team you can sleep on and expect it to be an easy matchup. We have to show up and play."
 
Saturday wraps up a three-match road trip for the Lady Demons (8-12, 4-6), who started the trek in Abilene, Texas, this past Thursday. NSU dropped a pair of four-set decisions at Abilene Christian and Sam Houston State.
 
With six matches remaining, the Lady Demons find themselves in eighth place in the conference standings, a half game out of fifth place. Northwestern State hosts the Southland Conference Tournament at Prather Coliseum from Nov. 16-18.
 
"Every year, you look at the conference schedule and one half is tougher than the other," Kiracofe said. "For us, it was the first half this year. We have some great matchups before the tournament, but we have to show up, go to work and put ourselves in a good position at the end of the year.
 
"Last year, we had a little more of a cushion. We don't have it this year to make us comfortable, but we have matchups we feel we can get some wins. We have to make sure we do that."
 
Southeastern Louisiana (2-21, 1-9) has dropped four straight matches, all of which have gone four sets. Two of those losses came against Abilene Christian and Sam Houston State, who own a combined 19-3 conference mark.
 
Although the Lady Lions are hitting just .148 as a team in conference play, sophomore middle blocker Sam Gomez ranks sixth in the conference in league play with a .317 hitting percentage.
 
"They've had a group that's getting a lot of experience," Kiracofe said. "They're getting better. They're going four with good teams, and they're going to be in position to beat somebody."
 
Northwestern State has collected one road win in its first five roach matches of Southland play, but the road – especially trips to south Louisiana – has been kind to sophomore outside hitter/right side Hannah Brister.
 
Brister, a native of Paincourtville, has turned in some of her best performances near her hometown.
 
In her freshman season, Brister recorded three double-doubles in as many matches at the Tulane Invitational. During Northwestern State's two matches at New Orleans (Sept. 27) and Nicholls (Sept. 29) this season, Brister averaged 3.1 kills per set while hitting .250.
 
"It's a couple of degrees warmer, a little more humid," Kiracofe said while trying to explain Brister's southern success. "It's right at home for her."