NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team gave the Northwestern State Demons trouble on Thursday night, but could not get the victory, falling 3-1.
New Orleans lost the first two sets 25-22, 25-23 – before edging out Northwestern State, 27-25 in the third set. The Demons rallied in the fourth and final set with a 25-13 victory for the win. The match featured a total 24 ties and 13 lead changes, with the third set featuring 16 of the game's ties.
The Privateers (3-25, 0-15 Southland) were led by senior
Marti Richmiller in the loss with 14 kills and 12 digs, while sophomore
Lauren Levy contributed a team-high 20 digs. Junior
Alyssa Podwell put forth 10 kills, while sophomore
Celeste Ramirez had 25 assists and 12 digs.
Northwestern State (17-10, 13-2 Southland) benefited from Caiti O'Connell's team-best 15 kills, while Ashley Elrod also contributed 11 kills to help lead the Demons over the Privateers.
In the first set, the Privateers fought back from a 10-point deficit midway through to bring the match within two a total of three times, but never managed to take the lead. New Orleans built off the momentum in the first set, and much like the first, fought back to trade five lead changes before falling in the final two sets.
After intermission, New Orleans came with intensity traded leads with the Demons eight times, and with a 25 tie, the Privateers pointed consecutive times – including a game-ending service ace by senior
Ariane Labrzycki to seal the set.
However, the fourth set was not in favor of the Privateers as the Demons went on an 8-point rally to extend their lead 22-8 and New Orleans never recovered.
The Privateers will be back in action for the final home game of the season on Saturday versus Stephen F. Austin. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
