CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (10-13, 4-6 SLC) will head to Louisiana today for an important SLC road trip with matchups against the reeling Nicholls Colonels (10-11, 4-6 SLC) tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions (12-13, 6-5 SLC) on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. The Sugar Bears will enter tomorrow's match sitting at No. 8 in the SLC standings and could leave the weekend at No. 6 as both the Colonels (No. 7) and Lady Lions (No. 6) rank in front of them.
 
Central Arkansas will look to build off their latest 3-0 sweep over the Abilene Christian Wildcats on October 26 and improve on a 4-4 road record. The team will enter Thursday's play leading the SLC in team kills (1,247) and assists (1,161) while ranking second in digs (1,398) and third in kills per set (12.99) and assists per set (12.09).
 
Senior Abbie Harry will take the court ranking second in total kills (325) and points (364) while sitting at No. 3 in kills per set (3.57). Junior Emily Doss will look to claw closer to dig No. 500 on the year as she ranks second in digs (432).
 
MEET THE NICHOLLS COLONELS
 
The Nicholls Colonels reside in Thibodaux, Louisiana and will look to snap their four-game losing streak on Thursday night. The Colonels do not hold any top-5 statistical ranks in the SLC and their highest mark comes at No. 6 in team digs per set (15.10), kills per set (12.60) and attacks per set (35.94). Junior setter Meghan Wozniak highlights the Nicholls roster as she ranks second in assists per set (9.01) and fourth in total assists (730).
 
As a team, the Colonels will enter play with 1,046 kills and a .199 hitting percentage on the year along with 104 service aces and 143.5 blocks. Sophomore duo Katie Jones and Emily Gauthreaux headline the attack with 213 and 212 kills while senior Emily Venable leads the back line with 300 digs.
 
With a win, the Sugar Bears will jump the Colonels for the No. 7 spot in the SLC standings.
 
MEET THE SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA LADY LIONS
 
The Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions reside in Hammond, Louisiana and will look to ride the momentum of back-to-back sweeps over the Incarnate Word Cardinals and New Orleans Privateers. The Lady Lions have two top-5 statistical ranks in the SLC as they are fourth in total attacks (3,204) and fifth in total blocks (168).
 
Junior outside hitter Caroline Golden will be the Lady Lion to watch out for as she ranks third in the SLC in service aces (36) and aces per set (0.40) while sitting at No. 2 on the roster in kills (224). Jodi Edo leads the attack with 239 kills while ranking fourth in the SLC in total blocks (86) while Baylee Laskoskie ranks third in total assists (732) and fifth in assists per set (8.93).
As a team, the Lady Lions will enter the morning match with 1,124 kills and a .207 hitting percentage on the year along with 119 service aces.
 
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH JOHN NEWBERRY ON THE MATCHES
 
"We are walking into this weekend knowing that we must come out with wins. Our win over ACU brings a lot of confidence into this weekend knowing that our team is moving in the right direction.
 
Our staff challenged the team with some areas that have needed improvement over the last few games. We expect to see lower errors and better efficiency.
 
Nicholls and SLU are much improved teams this year with new coaching staffs. They are both teams that can beat anyone in the conference. We're looking forward to competing with both of these solid groups."
 
KEEP UP WITH THE SUGAR BEARS
 
You can follow both matches via live stats or video using the links found here. For live updates, follow the Sugar Bears on Twitter @ucavball.