MATCH INFO (Southland Opener)
• Opponent: UTRGV
• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23
• First Serve: 6 p.m.
• Location: Lake Charles
• Venue: Townsley Law Arena
 
SERIES RECORD
• UTRGV leads the series 8-3 and have won the last three meetings including the last two in straight sets.
• The Vaqueros defeated McNeese in straight sets in Lake Charles last season in their only meeting last year. 
 
Complete McNeese Schedule
 
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LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball (4-7) will close out its three-match home stand Wednesday night by hosting UTRGV (4-7) in its Southland Conference opener.  First serve is set for 6 p.m. at the Townsley Law Arena.  The match will stream on ESPN+ and admission is free for all home matches. 
 
The conference schedule has the Cowgirls facing the Top 5 picks in the Southland Conference preseason poll in their first five conference matches. UTRGV was picked to finish second behind Stephen F. Austin.  Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was picked third, Lamar fifth, and Southeastern fourth.
 
The Cowgirls head into the match having won its last four matches including a four-set win against Oral Roberts in the last match of the Cowgirl Classic last weekend.
 
UTRGV is coming off a 1-2 record at the CEFCU Invitational last weekend with its win being a five setter against New Mexico State
 
 
McNEESE TEAM NOTES
• McNeese will open Southland Conference play against UTRGV on Wednesday in a match that will conclude its three-match homestand.
• The first five conference matches for McNeese will be against the top five SLC preseason picks as voted by the coaches.  UTRGV (#2), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (#3), SFA (#1), Lamar (#5), and Southeastern (#4).
• McNeese was picked to finish 9th in the SLC preseason poll.
• McNeese enters the match on a four-match winning streak after its wins over Grambling and Oral Roberts during its own Cowgirl Classic last weekend.
• The Cowgirls set record is 12-1 during its winning streak
• As a team, McNeese ranks 4th in the nation in digs per set (17.37)
• Freshman Sophia Tocmo was named this week's Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week after producing her first career double double (33 digs, 13 ast.) against Oral Roberts.  She led all players with 20 digs against Grambling last Thursday and her 33 digs against ORU is her career high.  She averaged 7.57 digs per set last week.
• Tocmo ranks 2nd in the nation with 5.74 digs per set and 34th in total digs with 201 heading into Wednesday's match.
• Tocmo has recorded double figure digs in the last 10 matches and is coming off her first career double double with a career high 33 digs and 13 assists against Oral Roberts.
• Senior setter Megan Grose has dished out double figure assists in all 11 matches including a season high 24 against Gramling on Sept. 17.  Grose leads the team with 176 assists.
 • Junior setter Corynne Hausler recorded her third double double of the season (23 ast., 10 digs) against ORU.  She has dished out at least assists in five of the last six matches.  She is second on the team with 153 assists.
• Sophomore Ava Henry continues to lead McNeese with 99 kills and 26 blocks.
• Kayla Wilson is second on the team with 95 kills.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
UTRGV
• Picked to finish second behind Stephen F. Austin in the SLC preseason poll
• Enter the match with a 4-7 overall record
• SLC opener for the Vaqueros as well
• Are coming off a 3-2 road win against New Mexico State on Saturday at the CEFCU Invitational
• Rank 4th in the SLC in blocks (2.00 per set) and 8th in in hitting percent (.179)
 
UPCOMING COWGIRL MATCHES
Sept. 23 UTRGV* (6 p.m.)
Sept. 26 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi* (1 p.m.)
Oct. 1 Stephen F. Austin* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 3 Lamar* (12 p.m.)
Oct. 8 at Southeastern* (6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 10 at LSU New Orleans* (11 a.m.)
Oct. 15 East Texas A&M* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 17 Northwestern State* (1 p.m.)
Oct. 22 at Incarnate Word* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 24 at Houston Christian* (11 a.m.)
Oct. 29 Southeastern* (6 p.m.)
Oct. 31 LSU New Orleans* (10 a.m.)
 
*- Southland Conference Match