RIO GRANDE VALLEY – For the first time since 1988, the Southeastern (SLU) Lions will be playing a volleyball match in the UTRGV Fieldhouse as they face The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in a key Southland Conference (SLC) match sponsored by Driscoll. 
 
The Vaqueros (10-7) and Lions (13-5) both come into Thursday's battle with 5-1 records in SLC play, sitting in a four-way tie for second. UTRGV has momentum on its side as the Vaqueros are riding a four-match winning streak and just came off a clutch week in which they handed two previously unbeaten SLC teams their first losses of the conference slate. 
 
Southeastern also went 2-0 last week with home wins against Northwestern State (3-0) and East Texas A&M (3-1). The Lions are two-time defending regular season SLC championships and won the lone match these teams played against each other in 2024, 3-1, in Hammond, Louisiana. 
 
Thursday's match theme is Dads & Daughters Night. There will be a Twinning With Dad contest sponsored by Vaquero Outfitters. Fans can purchase a special 2 for $10 ticket bundle at UTRGVTickets.com. Students get in free with a valid student ID but will need to claim a ticket at GoUTRGV.com/StudentTickets. A clear bag policy is in place for all UTRGV Athletics venues. 
 
Head-to-Head History
• UTRGV is 1-3 all-time against Southeastern in a series dating back to 1988. This will be the first time the teams play in Edinburg since the inaugural match, won by UTRGV (3-0) on Oct. 28, 1988. 
• The Lions defeated the Vaqueros, 3-1, when these teams played last season in Hammond. It was the first matchup in 12 years between the programs. Southeastern has won three in a row in the series.  
 
Last Time Out 
•  For the second consecutive match, UTRGV went on the road to a previously unbeaten conference opponent and handed them their first SLC loss as the Vaqueros beat Houston Christian, 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-18) in a come-from-behind victory. Junior outside hitter Nadine Zech again led UTRGV with her fourth double-double and third in a row, collecting a career-high 21 kills on .333 hitting with 13 digs and one ace. Senior right side Valentina Sarti Cipriani added 15 kills on .406 hitting and freshman outside hitter Dimitra Nanou finished with 12 kills and a match-high 16 digs for her fourth double-double. Junior setter Isabella Costantini tallied 47 assists, seven digs, five kills and two aces. Junior libero Celianiz Cabraneshad 14 digs, two aces and two assists. 
• Southeastern defeated East Texas A&M, 3-1, on Saturday to remain unbeaten at home. The Lions had three players with double-digit kills, led by 20 from Kyra McKelvey. India Bennett added 13 kills and seven blocks while Anne Brauckmiller had 12 kills and a team-high 19 digs. The Lions served seven aces, led by three from Abigail Bailey, who also had 15 digs. 

Complete match notes can be found here: 

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