HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies close out conference play hosting back-to-back matchups in Sharp Gym. HCU battles conference contender McNeese for Orange and Blue Out match on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The Huskies (16-12, 11-5 SLC) sit two games behind the Cowgirls (15-14, 13-3 SLC) heading into the final weekend of the conference season. McNeese claimed the first conference matchup of the season in straight sets with two sets resulting in extra points. The Huskies have swept the Cowgirls in three of the last four conference matchups in Sharp Gym and have a current record of 9-2 at home this season. HCU is 5-2 in Sharp Gym during Southland play with four wins resulting in sweeps.

HCU is led by Sara Arroyo averaging 2.99 kills per set and led the Huskies with 10 kills in the first clash against McNeese this season. Arroyo tied her Husky career-high with 20 kills against the Cowgirls in the second matchup of the 2022 season after recording 13 kills in the first conference matchup. Anna Gadway has led HCU in two of the last three games, averaging 4.44 kills per set over the stretch. Audrey Pearce continues to control the net ranking 2^nd in the Southland averaging 1.12 blocks per set. Grace McLaughlin has racked up double digit double-doubles with 10 double-doubles on the season and has five straight games averaging 12.47 assists per set, 10.04 average for the season. Kaley Feris leads the conference leading Husky back line averaging 4.28 digs per set while the program is ranked 4^th nationally averaging 17.62 digs per set.

McNeese sits third in the conference standings led by the second ranked defense in the Southland who also hold a top-10 nationally ranked defense with 1,718 team digs on the year. Bailey Tillman leads the Cowgirl back line leading the conference recording an average of 5.19 digs per set. The McNeese' offense has some fire power led by Cariss Chainey sitting in the third in the conference averaging 3.40 kills per set while Megan Grose dishes out 9.43 assists per set. McNeese will close out Southland play with a tough matchup against conference leader Southeastern on Saturday. The Huskies can finish the conference season tied with McNeese for third place in the Southland standings with back-to-back victories and losses by the Cowgirls.

HCU will host Nicholls on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Sharp Gym for Senior Day. The Huskies have notched seven straight matches against the Colonels with a 21-6 set differential including four sweeps. HCU swept Nicholls in the first matchup of the conference season and edged the Colonels in a five-set thriller in last season conference matchup in Sharp Gym.

Nicholls (4-22, 2-14 SLC) are led by Autumn Perry averaging 2.49 kills per set and leads the Colonels with 271 points on the season. Kendall Battistella is dishing out an average of 4.49 assists per set while Berra Soyler adds 4.03 assists per set to the Colonel' offense. Nicholl's defense is led by Rae Leano with 152 digs on the year and averages 2.49 digs per set while Gabrielle Barth adds 2.77 digs per set to the Colonel back line.

Come out and support the Huskies for Orange and Blue Out against McNeese on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Senior Day on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Nicholls to round out conference play. Live broadcast is available on ESPN+!