The Sam Houston State volleyball team will be in action this weekend against the Nicholls State Colonels and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions with both games in Louisiana. The Bearkats are (6-6) overall and (3-1) in conference action. “I don’t have to hope we can play, I now we can,” said Coach Brenda Gray. Senior Carrie Sartain, who has 144 kills and 127 digs on the season, leads Sam Houston. Sophomore Alisha Fowler is also having a strong season with 122 kills, and she is leading the team with 29 blocks. Other key players this year have been sophomore Chrissy Engle with 111 kills and junior Karlee Butler who has 495 assists and 88 digs. The Bearkats do have some injuries. Sartain got a shot for her bulging disk in her back on Monday and she is sitting out of practices but Coach Gray hopes she will play this weekend. “Sartain is feeling better today,” said Gray. The other injuries are to sophomore Jennifer Henrichsen and freshman Jessica Dominguez who got their casts off last week but are still day-to-day. Senior Summer Neimann is having a MRI on her shoulder today or tomorrow to see what is wrong. Sam Houston State’s first opponent will be Nicholls State on Friday at Thibodaux, La. at 7 p.m. Nicholls State is (4-11) overall and (2-4) in conference action. Nicholls State’s last loss was to McNeese State in straight sets on Tuesday night. SHSU beat McNeese State last weekend in four games. Nicholls State has some players to watch out for. They are senior Caley Carter, she has 252 kills and 146 digs on the season and senior Becca Beall, and she has 138 kills and 134 digs on the season. Sam Houston State will face Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at Hammond, La. at 4 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana is (7-8) overall and (1-6) in conference action. Its last loss was to Lamar in five games and the Bearkats beat Lamar in straight sets. The Lions have some players to watch too. Sophomore Keri Hamblin has 123 kills and 162 digs on the season. Senior Luciana Neves is also strong for the Lions with 92 kills and 46 blocks on the season. Coach Gray needs just one more win to send her win total to 450. Gray is in her 19th season as the head volleyball coach here at Sam Houston State. “This season is a lot of fun,” said Coach Gray.
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