MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of New Orleans snapped a three-match
losing streak with a 3-1 (26-24, 25-22, 16-25, 25-16) victory over
Samford to open their weekend of competition at the Memphis Tiger
Invitational on Friday afternoon.
It was the second win against Samford (3-7) on a neutral floor in the last two years for UNO (5-5), who defeated the Bulldogs en route to winning the Auburn War Eagle Invitational last season.
Kaley Hubbard matched her career-high with 12 kills, equaling teammate
Maria Szivos for match-high honors.
Edina Dobi also reached double-figures, tallying 11 kills while
Hajnalka Molnar distributed a career-high 36 assists.
The defense played a large role in the Privateers's success once more as Hubbard had a hand on four blocks and
Nicky Valenti averaged six digs per set on way to 24 for the match.
Samford was led by Rachel Gadberry, who had 11 kills on just 17 attacks. Hillary Fountain had a match-high 37 assists with Sheriden Stangohr assisting on nine of the Bulldogs' 13 blocks in the match.
In the opening set, UNO jumped out to an 11-5 lead on the serve of Szivos after breaking open a tie at four. Samford rallied back in the frame on a run of Privateer miscues, including a run of four straight, to take a 24-20 lead.
With their backs against the wall, UNO responded. A Molnar kill was followed by two from Dobi as the Privateers regained momentum and scored the final six points of the set to win in 'extra points' 26-24.
The advantage remained in UNO's favor in the second set.
After exchanging the lead early in the frame, UNO opened a tie at seven with consecutive kills by
Vesna Jelic and
Heather Ford. Those two kills opened the floodgates for the Privateers. The Bulldogs could not get within two the remainder of the set as UNO took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Needing a win to continue the match, Samford posted five blocks and held the Privateers to a -.114 hitting percentage, their lowest of the season, in the third set on way to a 26-15 victory.
The Bulldog success looked as if it may continue in the fourth set with Samford taking the first two points on UNO attack errors.
The Privateers were not behind much longer as the team hit .367 in the final set and went into cruise control, with
Lindsey Loyd and Hubbard both tallying four kills apiece.
UNO will look to extend their winning streak to two matches with contests at 10 a.m. against UAB and 2 p.m. against Memphis. After technical difficulties on Friday, live stats will be available for both Saturday matches on GoTigersGo.com.
