NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans volleyball accomplished a
pair of goals on Saturday as they defeated Southeastern Louisiana 3-0
(25-18, 25-9, 25-18) and Texas Tech 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-22) in the
Radisson New Orleans Airport Privateer Invitational.
By virtue of winning the matches, UNO (4-2) claimed their second tournament title in two years and extended their home win streak to eight matches, tying the school-record.
In the morning contest against SLU (1-4), UNO needed just a few points to shake off the early morning rust.
The Privateers continued their strong hitting from the night before with a .278 clip.
Lindsey Loyd was the lone Privateer in double-digit kills with 11.
Cassidy Asebroek and
Hajnalka Molnar had 17 and 12 digs, respectively.
Nicky Valenti topped both teams with 15 digs.
SLU (1-4) was led by Alexis Braghini's 5 kills. Lauren Mayer had 19 assists for the Lions, who hit .012 for the match.
The opening set saw seven ties and four lead changes before UNO broke open a 14-14 score with four consecutive points. SLU could only get within two with the Privateers scoring the final five points in a 25-18 win.
UNO's scoring streak reached 12 points as the Privateers opened the second frame with a 7-0 advantage. The Lions hit -.194 for the set and went into the break down 2-0.
Like the second set, the third was never in question. UNO scored 9 of 11 points to open the final set and never let SLU within five the remainder of the frame.
In the night cap, UNO received contributions throughout the rotation to beat TTU (1-5).
Loyd continued to lead the squad in kills with 16, but it was team effort as four Privateers totaled at least four kills apiece, keeping the Red Raiders offguard.
When UNO was not spreading the ball, the squad was serving a season-high seven aces, led by
Maria Szivos with four.
Asebroek and Molnar paced the setting efforts with 18 and 15 assists, respectively while Valenti once more led the way with 16 digs.
The visitors from Texas were led by by Amanda Dowdy's nine kills. Karlyn Meyers had 21 assists with both Dowdy and Jenn Goehry tallying nine digs.
The Privateers trailed TTU 2-0 to start the opening set. The Privateers responded with six straight points and later gained a five-point lead after Szivos had consecutive aces.
The lead would hold up as UNO took set one 25-22 despite being outhit .270 to .250 by the Red Raiders.
In the second set, a tie at four apiece would be the last as UNO took control on the defensive end, holding TTU to a -.053 hitting clip. The Red Raiders would not go quietly however, holding off six set points before the Privateers took a 2-0 advantage into the break with a 25-20 frame win.
With the tournament title within reach, the Privateers built up a seven-point advantage at 13-6. TTU chased for most of the set, getting within two at 19-17, before the hosts pulled away one last time to close out the tournament.
UNO close out their four-match homestand on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against crosstown rival Tulane.
