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HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University beach volleyball team will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for a multi-day tournament on its opening weekend of the 2026 season.

Southeastern will make its first program appearance in the Florida State Unconquered Invitational Friday, as it will open serve against UAB at 12:45 p.m. The Lady Lions will close out day one of the weekend against North Alabama at 4:30 p.m.

SLU will return to the sand with a tough slate Saturday to face its first ranked opponent of the season, No. 18 Georgia State at 9 a.m. before its midday matchup against CSU Bakersfield at 12:45 p.m. The Lady Lions will end the weekend against tournament host, No. 8 Florida State, at 4:30 p.m. before a rematch against the Seminoles Sunday at 9 a.m. The nationally ranked program finished 26-13 overall last season and 7-1 at home while making an appearance in the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship quarterfinals. 

First-year head coach Angie Simpson is looking forward to the challenge this upcoming season’s schedule will provide as its top ranked competition will produce a gritty Southeastern squad.

“Getting out of the gates, playing against top 10 opponents, will help us establish our baseline from a team and pairs perspective, ” stated Simpson. “There are no substitutions during a dual, so getting the line up right and figuring out the best partnerships for the 5 pairs is critical. I’m seeing the team competing hard every day and also being flexible as I’m assessing the line up possibilities.”

The Lady Lions returned 11 players from their 2025 roster alongside four newcomers as Coach Simpson is excited about the talent and competitiveness she’s witnessed in practice.

“I’ve been impressed by Mia Saurs since Day 1. She came into the first practice and established herself as a top all around player and a team leader who is capable of playing well with a variety of partners. I’m also very excited to see how our international players Maggie Paiva and Gabriela Hrubanova evolve through the season, I think they are going to be a dynamic pair. It’s going to be a tight race between players to win the 5 pair spot,” said Simpson.

DIGGIN’ IT CLUB / S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin’ It Club. Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin’ It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpBeach on Twitter, @LionUpBeach on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.