HAMMOND, La. — Sunday's Southland Volleyball Championship pitted two of the conference powers against one another. But No. 2 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took control early against No. 1 Southeastern and never looked back, defeating the regular season champions in straight sets.
This marks the Islanders' fifth SLC Championship and their first since 2021.
A&M-Corpus Christi pressed on Southeastern, racing out to a lead in the first set. Kyndal Payne netted back-to-back kills and suddenly the Islanders had a 19-14 lead. An Alex Hoglund ace saw that lead balloon to a 23-15 margin and they would close out the set 25-19.
A similar story played out in the second. Tori Arrington, who impressed in her own right, helped the Islanders construct a 5-1 lead to force a Southeastern timeout. The Lions would not come closer than two points and A&M-Corpus Christi led by as many as eight in a set they took 25-20.
The Islanders would not let up in the final frame. A&M-Corpus Christi posted a nine-point lead midway through when Arrington downed another kill to put her team up 15-6. Leah Stolfus would get the final kill 25-19 to end the match.
A&M-Corpus Christi handed Southeastern its first conference loss of the season and their first loss in straight sets at the University Center since 2021 (Nicholls).
Hoglund claimed Tournament MVP honors and had 45 assists in the championship match. Payne tallied nine kills and 13 kills while Brooklyn Jaeger had 37 digs. All earned selection to the all-tournament team. Cicily Hidalgo and Keira Beverly of Southeastern also claimed spots on the team.
A&M-Corpus Christi now awaits its placement in the upcoming NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship with the Selection Show set for Sunday, December 1.
SLC Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Alex Hoglund, TAMUCC (MVP)
Brooklyn Jaeger, TAMUCC
Kyndal Payne, TAMUCC
Cicily Hidalgo, Southeastern
Kiera Beverly, Southeastern
Jayden Flynn, SFA
Finley Evans, UIW