NATCHITOCHES – Saturday serves as the final time four Northwestern State volleyball players will take the floor at Prather Coliseum, wanting to close their time on their home court with an important victory.
 
The Lady Demons (18-11, 10-5 SLC) face Incarnate Word on Saturday morning at 11 a.m., the final home match for seniors Megan Lohmiller, Kourtney Seaton, Cayman Sutton, and Alexis Warren.
 
Free admission to the match is provided courtesy of the Louisiana Army National Guard. Live stats and video coverage are available through www.nsudemons.com. Senior presentation is scheduled to begin approximately 15 minutes prior to first serve.
 
Following a loss on Thursday night, the third in a row, the Lady Demons hope to find the mark in their final match before heading to Conway, Arkansas, for the Southland Conference tournament next weekend.
 
Injuries have forced a mix up in the lineup during the past few matches, but on Thursday night NSU seemingly had more steadiness and rhythm on the floor through the majority of the match.
 
The stability is due in large part to the group of seniors, three of whom have spent four seasons as a Lady Demon and contributed more than just wins and stats to the program.
 
Coach Sean Kiracofe had these words for each of the four seniors.
 
Cayman Sutton:
"Cayman has come in and run a fantastic offense and made a great impact on us to be able to expand what we do. She just goes out there and finds ways to win and spread out the offense. It's fun to watch."
 
Kourtney Seaton:
"Kourtney has been a stabilizing force for us in the middle the entire time. We can always count on her to do good things for us whether it's offensively or defensively." 
 
Megan Lohmiller:
"Megan was really part of the turnaround of the program, as far as my time here, where we became that ball-control and defensive team that can stay in matches with anybody. She was a huge part of that and has been an amazing teammate and role model in her first three years and then shifting that over to the libero position this year and taking it and running with it."
 
Alexis Warren:
"Alexis has been a six-rotation player for us on the outside since she got here and has been essential to making things work. There's not a part of the game that she does not have a hand in and helps us to be successful."
 
Finishing with a win in their final home match stands to be the perfect send off for the group as they look to gain momentum heading into the tournament.
 
Incarnate Word (7-22, 3-12 SLC) has lost three of its last four matches entering Saturday, with consecutive sweeps at the hands of Stephen F. Austin and Central Arkansas. NSU beat UIW in five sets in their first meeting in San Antonio on October 5.
 
The Cardinals have a solid offense with a .202 team attack percentage but only averages 11.2 kills per set, fewest in the SLC. Outside hitters Julia Monday and Bethany Clapp lead UIW with over 300 kills each with a 2.87 and 2.79 kill per set average respectively.
 
An NSU win secures, at worst, a four seed in the SLC tournament next week with potential of a third spot pending the outcome of other matches on the final day of the season.
 
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