NEW ORLEANS ? The University of New Orleans volleyball team shook off a slow start in rolling to a 3-0 win (35-33, 30-22, 30-19) over Nicholls State in the Four Points by Sheraton Invitational on Friday at the Human Performance Center.
Lindsey Loyd paced the Privateers (2-3) with 13 kills on a .524 hitting percentage, while Dobrilla Kovacevic added 12 kills on 30 attacks. The Privateers got at least one kill from eight different players and recorded nine service aces.
Nicholls State (1-4) was led by Rachel Spreen, who had 13 kills. Amy Beshir added five block assists.
The Privateers struggled in the first game but managed to come back from a 29-23 deficit. UNO fought off six game points before finally getting the final two points on a kill from Lindsey Boler and a service ace from Nicky Valenti.
After trailing early in the second game, UNO finally got in a rhythm offensively and managed to hit .259 after hitting just .043 in the first set. The Privateers controlled much of the third game thanks to a .300 hit percentage.
Earlier in the day, Delaware swept past Alcorn State 3-0 (30-6, 30-10, 30-14) thanks to 22 aces. Colleen Walsh had a match-high 12 kills to pace the Blue Hens (5-0).
The tournament will continue with four matches on Saturday, kicking off with Delaware and NSU meeting at 10 a.m. UNO will host Alcorn State at noon. Action will continue at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday night.
