The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers return to action this weekend with four matches at the Cowgirl Classic, hosted by McNeese State University.
 
The Lady Panthers kick off the tournament with Louisiana-Monroe at 10 a.m. Friday, and then will return to the court later in the day for a 2:30 p.m. match with host McNeese State.
 
Saturday's contests will see Prairie View A&M take on Tennessee Tech at 1:30 p.m. before facing Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Alcorn State at 6 p.m.
 
After a hard-fought, four-set defeat Tuesday at perennially strong Texas State, the Lady Panthers head to Lake Charles, La., looking to snap a three-match losing streak. The Panthers have a strong chance to bring wins back to Texas, as the combined record of their four opponents is 12-18.
 
On paper, the host Cowgirls easily present the toughest challenge for Prairie View A&M, as McNeese State is the only Panther opponent entering the weekend with a winning record. The 5-3 Cowgirls currently own the second-best record in the Southland Conference, with their last two wins coming over SWAC opponents Texas Southern and Jackson State.
 
McNeese State also leads the nation in service aces, while Malina Sanchez' 27 aces leads all individual players in NCAA Division I. Sanchez also leads McNeese State with 94 kills on the season.
 
Meanwhile, Louisiana-Monroe (2-6) and Tennessee Tech (1-6), have a combined .200 winning percentage. The Warhawks of ULM have wins against Texas-Pan American and Southeastern Conference cellar-dweller Mississippi State.
 
Tennessee Tech's lone win was against winless Norfolk State from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles also dropped a five-set match to MEAC opponent Morgan State.
 
Candyce Alexander leads Prairie View A&M with 94 kills. Freshman Jasmine Lewis was named the SWAC's Newcomer of the Week after being named to the All-Tournament Team at the TCU Nike Invitational last weekend.
 
The Lady Panthers volleyball team and the Panthers football team will both be in action at McNeese State this weekend.