Conway, Ark. –

The Central Arkansas volleyball program returns to the Prince Center after a successful week away on Thursday night. The Sugar Bears will play the first of two games this weekend, facing off with Northwestern State at 7:00 Thursday evening, before hosting Stephen F. Austin at noon on Saturday.

The Sugar Bears (12-3, 4-0 SLC), who are currently tied for second place in the Southland Conference host the Lady Demons (7-8, 3-0 SLC), who currently sit in third place. Besides the battle for second place that promises to make the match a big one, Central Arkansas is also working with Samaritan's Feet, an organization that provides shoes to those in need throughout the world. Head Coach David McFatrich and assistants John and Brittany Newberry will coach the match barefoot to raise awareness for the organization, becoming the first volleyball coaches in Arkansas to do so. Fans will be able to make donations before the game and a shoe will be passed through the crowd. A $10 donation will give a fan a Samaritan's Feet sweatband, but more importantly, it will buy a pair of shoes for a person in need. The money raised at the Prince Center on Thursday night will go towards a shoe distribution project that will take place on January 12^th in Conway.

On Saturday, the Sugar Bears will take to the court against Stephen F. Austin (10-6, 2-1 SLC). The Ladyjacks currently sit at sixth in the conference, but own the third best overall record in the SLC. The Sugar Bears and Ladyjacks faced off three times last year, with Central Arkansas emerging victorious in all three meetings; although two of the matches were epic five-set affairs that saw both teams leave everything on the floor.