NATCHITOCHES, La. – The red-hot Northwestern State Demons' volleyball team eyes its fifth straight win Tuesday night when they host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.

The Demons (5-6) won all four games last week beating Jackson State 3-1 at home. Then swept the Bulldog Bash hosted by Louisiana Tech with wins over Mississippi Valley State (3-0), ULM (3-1) and Grambling (3-1).

NSU enters Tuesday's match with Louisiana Tech (6-4) on its longest winning streak since the Demons won four straight matches from Aug. 30-Sept. 6 in 2024.

The Demons are also led by the Southland Conference's leader in assists per set, senior Jade Longlad. The Calgary, Alberta, Canada native is averaging 9.4 assists per set and has 321 total which is second in the league. Longlad was also runner-up for Southland Setter of the Week this past week just missing out to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Ava Hight. 

Sophomore Emmarie McFarland, the reigning Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week leads the league in digs with 192. The Alvin, Texas native has had 10 or more in all 11 matches this year averaging 4.92 a set.

Elsie Sanchez, a sophomore, is second in the conference in kills (114) and kills per set (3.35). The Demons' outside hitter is averaging 13 kills per game in the Demons' five wins this season.

The Demons' freshmen have been productive as well so far led by Olivia Nzioki who had 50 kills in three matches last week. The Shawnee, Kansas native earned SLC Offensive Player of the Week earlier Monday. She had 22 in the team's win over Grambling which is a season high for the team this year.

"I'm really impressed with this group," second-year Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. "This group is hungry and they know that even after winning Friday (against ULM) they still were talking about the mistakes they made and what they can do to get better."

The Bulldogs (6-4) are 3-3 in their last six games following a loss to McNeese at home Saturday. LTU is led by freshman Taylor Woods with 79 kills in nine matches.

"Louisiana Tech is very good," said Kaszeta. "They're kind of like us where they have some freshmen in some big roles. Their coach is a good friend of mine and a good human being (second-year Bulldogs' head coach Scott Mattera) and a well-coached team who does things that we haven't seen yet. They run different play sets and change things up so it will good challenge for us."

Historically, Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series 26-23 but the Demons have won seven of the last 10 and four of the last five in Prather Coliseum.

Fans can watch Tuesday's game on ESPN+ as Patrick Netherton and Caley Carter will have the play-by-play.