Conway – The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears will open play in their ninth-straight Southland Conference Tournament on Friday evening, taking on host Northwestern State at 6:30 PM.

Central Arkansas (24-5) went 14-2 in Southland Conference play to earn the second seed in the tournament for the second year in a row. The Sugar Bears are led by a pair of All-Southland Conference First Team selection in seniors Samantha Anderson (3.72 kills/set, .341 hitting %) and Haley Tippett (3.17 k/s, 2.90 digs/set), and Second Team honoree Savanah Allen (2.45 k/s, 0.96 blocks/set).

Northwestern State (12-14) earned the seventh seed in the tournament thanks to an 8-8 conference campaign. Senior Channing Burleson leads the Lady Demon defense, earning All-SLC First Team honors after leading the conference with an average of 4.99 digs per set this season. Sophomore Hannah Brister was named to the second team after averaging 3.17 kills per set this season.

The winner of tonight's match will advance to the semifinals to take on either number three Sam Houston State or number six McNeese at 2:30 PM on Saturday, with the winner of that match earning a spot in the championship match at 3:05 PM on Sunday.