NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana – The Huskies swept the Lady Demons at Prather Coliseum on Thursday for the second time this season claiming both conference matches on the year in straight sets (25-22, 25-23, 30-28). HCU now captures solo fourth position in the conference standings with three games left in Southland play.

The Huskies (15-12, 10-5 SLC) got off to a quick start in the opening set claiming four straight points after falling the opening point to grab a 4-1 lead.  The Lady Demons narrowed the gap to one point at 5-4 before HCU brought the lead back to three points at 8-5. NSU rallied seven of the next eight points to claim a 12-9 lead. Clinging to a three point deficit at 15-12, the Huskies tallied a four point run including a kill by Cassidy Drapela and an ace by Jaleesa Caroccio to reclaim the lead at 16-15. At 19-18 favoring the Lady Demons, HCU scored four of the next five points with back-to-back kills by Anna Gadway to capture a 22-18 lead. Another kill by Gadway and an ace by Kaley Feris resulting in a three-point run sealed the opening set for the Huskies, 25-22.

Northwestern State (13-13, 9-6, SLC) came out firing in the second set grabbing a 4-2 lead before the Huskies took the lead off three straight points starting with a block by Audrey Pearce and Drapela and capped off with back-to-back kills by Sara Arroyo. The Lady Demons retook the lead on a four-point run to tie their largest lead of the middle set at 8-5 until HCU rose to within one point at 10-9 thanks to a kill by Gadway and an ace by Alexia Jones. NSU got back up three points at 14-11 before the Huskies tied the game at 15-15 off a block by Grace McLaughlin and Lexie Temple. After trading kills down the stretch and down by one point at 21-20, HCU racked off three straight points to claim a 23-21 lead and close out the second set, 25-23.

With their backs against the wall, Northwestern State snagged an early, 10-5, lead in the third set and increased the lead to six points at 15-9 forcing a Husky' timeout. After the break, HCU regrouped with a four point run including back-to-back kills by Arroyo to minimize the deficit to two points at 15-13. The Lady Demons increased the gap to four points at 20-16 before the Huskies got within one point at 21-20 with a kill from Drapela. The Huskies tied the set at 22-22 with two straight kills from Gadway and Drapela until NSU forced set point at 24-23. A kill by Drapela forced extra points and a kill by Pearce gave HCU the advantage at 25-24. After points by each team, the Lady Demons held the advantage at 27-26 before a kill by McLaughlin tied the set. Clinging to their third set point of the set at 28-27 the Huskies closed out the match, 30-28, off three straight points starting with a kill by Gadway and ending with back-to-back kills by Drapela.

The Huskies were led by Gadway with 17 kills and nine digs while Drapela added 12 kills and three blocks. Sara Arroyo recorded 10 kills with nine digs and McLaughlin dished out 38 assists along with eight digs. Kaley Feris led the Husky' defense notching 24 digs, her second highest digs of the season. Tatiana Evans tied her second highest digs of the year with 16 digs and Caroccio added 13 digs to the back line.

The Lady Demons were led by Reaghan Thompson with 10 kills and eight blocks. Amina Attra dished out 17 assists while Piper Boydstun added 15 assists. NSU's defense was led by Ashlyn Svoboda recording 25 digs and Teresa Garza tallied 17 kills.  

The Huskies will continue the back-to-back road matchups taking on Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Field House in Commerce, Texas. HCU looks to remain undefeated against the Lions after winning all three matchups against Commerce since joining Southland last season. The Huskies swept the Lions in the first conference matchup of the season in Sharp Gym.

Live broadcast is available on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at HCUHuskies.com!