CONWAY, Ark.: The University of Central Arkansas volleyball program returns home for one last two match home stand that hosts significant postseason implications.
The Sugar Bears host Nicholls starting tomorrow and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. Both of these matchups will play a massive role in how the Southland Conference Tournament is set up, as one win clinches UCA's spot in the tourney. To add to the list of important factors of Saturday's game, it will also be senior day for the Sugar Bears.
UCA currently stands in the sixth position when it comes to the SLC tournament, and with one victory, they can clinch that spot. The Sugar Bears will hope to remain or improve on that position as they can reach up to the fifth spot this weekend. For that to happen, the Sugar Bears will have to have a big weekend against one struggling and one dominant opponent. Nicholls will be first up on that list as they have struggled to find their footing this spring as they are 1-9 in the SLC and 1-10 for the season. On the other side, Southeastern Louisiana has out-shined their potential as they are two weeks removed from a massive victory against Stephen F. Austin. The Lady Lions have already clinched a postseason birth and are one win away from a top-four seed, as they are 8-2 in the SLC and 10-3 overall.
For the Sugar Bears to have a great outing against both of these opponents, they need a good match from a couple of their hottest hitters. Junior's Lexi Miller and Madi Bowles have been finding their rhythm these past couple of matches and should play a big part in these two matchups. During these past two matches against SFA and Abilene Christian, Bowles has produced 22 kills, while Miller hosts 27 kills. Another critical factor in the matchups will be UCA's ability to get to the net and make a play. This factor will be produced by the dynamic team of junior Ravin Rhodes and freshman Charlie Tidwell. These two have progressively gotten more in sync these past couple of weeks and maybe one of the best pairings in the Southland Conference. Rhodes has eight total blocks in the past two matchups, and Tidwell is right there with her at seven blocks.
Beginning with Nicholls will be an uphill battle, as no one can count out the Colonels. Nicholls has had various close matches as they lost in five sets to both Houston Baptist and UIW. To overlook this match would be a mistake, as the Colonels are there to play the upset team. Nicholls is led by their junior outside hitter Emily Gauthreaux, as she leads the team in kills (97), points (112.5) and service aces (11).
After tomorrow's matchup is all said and done, all eyes will be turned towards the defensive-minded Lady Lions. SLU is one of the conferences best when it comes to defensive efficiency as they are third in both opponent assists and kills while ranking fourth in opponent hitting percentage. While defense is their specialty, SLU also hosts one of the best attackers in the business. The Lady Lion's Kailin Newsome is second in the SLC with 4.1 kills per set and has claimed offensive player of the week three times this season.
The Sugar Bears will begin this essential home stand against Nicholls at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the Farris Center. UCA will then finish out the regular season with senior day against SLU at noon on Saturday in the Farris Center.
