LUBBOCK, Texas - The University of New Orleans finished their
three-week road trip with a loss, dropping a 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-20,
25-21) match to Oklahoma to close out play in the Texas Tech Red Raider
Roundup.
OU (5-4) picked up their fourth straight win and third of the week in
winning the tournament title. The Sooners were led by Caitlin Higgins
and Francie Ekwerekwu with 14 and 12 kills, respectively. Suzy
Boulavsky followed with 10 kills.
Brianne Barker had 43 assists for OU to go with 12 digs. Lacy Barnes
led the defensive efforts from the back row with 21 digs while the
Sooners racked up 12 blocks in stopping the Privateer offense.
UNO (6-3) had three players in double-figure kills led by Dobrilla
Kovacevic with 15. Lindsey Loyd and all-tournament team selection Maria Szivos added 13 and 12,
respectively.
Jaci Bayley had her 100th career match with at least 10 assists as she
notched 36 in the match. Nicky Valenti , named "Best Libero" of the tournament, had 23 digs for UNO while
Kovacevic joined her in double-figures with 16. Edina Dobi continued
her strong play at the net as she started for the second consecutive
match, having a hand in five blocks
Kovacevic and Szivos had six kills apiece during the opening set for
the Privateers who totaled 17 kills in the frame with just two attack
errors. A close battle throughout the set, UNO took control after a tie
at 15, building their first four point lead at 23-19 on a Loyd ace
before Szivos brought the set to an end at 25-21 on a kill.
The second set did not go as well for the Privateers who built an early
9-6 lead before the Sooners bounced back with six straight points to
take a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the frame.
UNO closed within one at 14-13 before OU ran off 11 of 15 points down
the stretch to take the 25-17 set win.
OU started off the third set right where they had left off in the
previous set, scoring the first five points and 8 of 9 to open the
frame. UNO would cut the deficit to three points at 11-8 and 21-18, but
the Sooners would not allow the Privateers any closer in a 25-20
victory for the Sooners.
UNO took an early 3-1 lead on OU in the fourth set before the Sooners
scored four straight points to put themselves in the driver's seat for
the remainder of the frame, taking the set 25-21.
The Privateers end their three-week long trip away from the friendly
confines of the Human Performance Center when they host Nicholls State
on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Live video will be available through the
UNOPrivateers.com web site with ticket information available by calling
the UNO ticket office at (504) 280-GAME.
