In its first conference game of the season, the LadyKat volleyball team axed the Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks Tuesday in five games, improving the season record to 7-5.Going into the match, Coach Brenda Gray said she was looking for both outside hitter Carrie Sartain and setter Karlee Butler to lead the team, and they did just that.Sartain had a total of 21 kills, one ace and 25 digs for the match. Butler came through with seven kills, 52 assists, one block and 18 digs.Also showing strong performances were middle blockers Dana Jefferson and Teri Palmer. Jefferson added 14 kills and five blocks, and Palmer ended with six kills and five blocks.On Tuesday, Gray said that with the ultimate goal of making it to the conference tournament, convincing her freshmen of the importance of winning in conference play was vital. “It’s imperative you win,” she said. “You’ve got to get your own invitation to the dance.”With that in mind, the freshmen stepped out on the floor.Chrissy Engle not only put down seven kills and two aces, she ended with a season high six blocks. Jennifer Henrichsen added four kills, one ace and 17 digs, and Chelsea Johnson had one ace and 9 digs.The team noted that this year, they are feeling stronger than ever.”I think this is the best team that I’ve been on since I’ve been here,” senior Liz Dahlstrom said. “Our team, as a whole, is better than what we have been in the last four years. I feel a lot more confident this year.”Senior Teri Palmer recognized the strength the freshman players have added, and believes a trip to the conference tournament is inevitable.”Our season has definitely started better this year than it did last year, so I think we’ll finish a lot better, Palmer said. This weekend will provide more opportunity for the LadyKats to make their presence known in the SLC. On Friday, the team travels to Monroe, La., for a 7 p.m. match against the Indians (3-8). Monroe lost their first conference match to Northwestern State on Tuesday. SHSU will face Northwestern on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Demons are 8-8 on the season.Next Tuesday night will be the first conference home game for the LadyKats. They will host Texas-San Antonio (1-9) at 7 p.m. for orange crush night.