New Orleans, La. - The University of New Orleans volleyball team began the 2001 season with a five-game (30-26, 30-26, 19-30, 25-30, 15-11) victory over cross-town rival Tulane at the NOKIA Sugar Bowl Tournament at Tulane's Fogelman Gym.
Senior Ann MacMillan led the Privateers with her first double-double of the year with 18 kills (.333 hitting percentage), 11 digs and five blocks. Junior Melissa Caravella had 13 kills (.300 hitting percentage), seven digs and six blocks. In her first start for the Privateers, freshman Jennifer Cruz had her first career double-double with 11 kills (.059 hitting percentage) and 18 digs.
The Privateers jumped out to a quick two game lead after forcing the Green Wave to a .114 hitting percentage. After the intermission, Tulane won games three and four by a combined 60-44 score. In the decisive fifth game, New Orleans was impressive with a .714 hitting percentage as the team had no errors on 14 attacks with 10 kills.
Junior Alison Howard finished with 53 assists to go along with seven kills on 15 attempts for a match-high .467 hitting percentage and seven digs. Sophomore Kneckie Stallsworth rounded out the double-digit kills for the Privateers with ten (.368 hitting percentage) and adding three digs.
The Privateers return to action on Saturday, September 1st in the second day of the NOKIA Sugar Bowl Tournament. UNO faces Mountain West opponent UNLV at 10:30 a.m. followed by a night cap against instate rival LSU at 5:30 p.m.
