NATCHITOCHES – After a frustrating loss in their conference opener, Northwestern State volleyball turns their attention to another tough opponent in Houston Baptist.
 
The 3-1 loss to Sam Houston on Thursday was a difficult one on many fronts for the Lady Demons. 
 
Not finding the offensive production they had been used to all season and seeing the Bearkats keep rallies alive time and time again led to the lowest team hitting percentage of the season. Despite some stellar defensive sequences by the Lady Demons, including 17 total blocks and 82 digs, season highs for a four-set match, Sam Houston was equal to the task on the other side.
 
"They had it in a great position," coach Sean Kiracofe said after the match Thursday. "I loved our matchups in set one and we gave it away. We didn't work hard enough in the second and third to put ourselves in a position to get out of here with a win in a close match. 
 
"I said to them all week. It doesn't matter who's on the other side of the net when we play Sam Houston, it's going to be a tough match. But we didn't step up when it mattered the most. This one needs to sting for a little bit, and they need to show up and show some fight on Saturday."
 
The Lady Demons have a chance to redeem themselves right away, as they host an HBU team that is playing well coming into the conference opening weekend.
 
Houston Baptist (9-7) enters Saturday's match winners of three in a row and four of its last five, including a 3-1 victory at Central Arkansas on Thursday to open its conference schedule.
 
Admission to Saturday's match is free as are all home regular-season volleyball matches courtesy of the Louisiana Army National Guard. Streaming video of the match will be available at www.nsudemons.com/watch. 
 
In the win at UCA, preseason first team all-conference outside hitter Mikayla Vivens added to her team leading kill total with 15, giving her 163 on the season. It was her eighth kill-dig double-double of the season, picking up 16 digs giving her 201, also a team best for the Huskies. 
 
"HBU are playing really well right now," Kiracofe said. "We played a couple of really good matches last year against them. It's going to be a tough week for us, but I think it's going to be a good one to see exactly where we stand early on in the conference season."
 
 
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