NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team played with a lot of energy, but Stephen F. Austin prevailed 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-13, 25-15) Saturday afternoon at the Human Performance Center.
Today's match was Senior Day for three Privateers –
Nandi Brown,
Ariane Labrzycki, and
Marti Richmiller – whom were playing their final home match. Privateer volleyball also selected today as their Privateer Pride Day, a home game where fellow student-athletes were encouraged to come out to support the Privateers. Each sport will select home games throughout the year for Privateer Pride.
The Privateers (3-26, 0-16 Southland) came out strong in the first set with SFA leading 5-4, but the Ladyjacks went on a 6-0 run to take control of the set, 11-4. The Privateers closed to within four with SFA leading 11-7; however, SFA was able to close out the set 25-12.
SFA (16-13, 8-8 SLC) got off to a hot start in the second set as they built a 3-0 lead, but UNO went on a 7-1 run to take a 7-4 lead. The Privateers led by four twice and stayed ahead of the Ladyjacks to take set number two 25-22.
In the third set, SFA and UNO were tight through the start as the Ladyjacks held a 6-5 advantage, SFA followed with a 6-0 run to take a 12-5 lead. UNO was able to pull within six, down 16-8, but SFA finished off the set 9-5 to win it 25-13.
SFA controlled the fourth set most of the way as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Privateers rallied back to get within four to make it 7-3, but SFA continued their consistent play as they rattled off a 7-0 run to take a 15-5 lead and eventually took the set 25-15.
Richmiller led the Privateers with a stat line of 12 kills and 10 digs for a total of 12.5 points.
Lauren Levy led with 11 digs, and
Alyssa Podwell added 7 kills. Brown tallied 5 kills and 2 digs, while Labrzycki had 7 assists, 4 digs, and an ace.
Celeste Ramirez led the front with 25 assists.
SFA played a dominant defensive performance as sophomores O.J. Olson and Madison Martin led the Ladyjacks with 31 digs between them. Sophomore Jacque Allen led SFA's offense with 11 kills and 14.5 points. Junior Paige Holland controlled the front with 31 assists.
UNO has two contests remaining starting with a trip to Central Arkansas this Thursday night. The Privateers then travel to Oral Roberts Saturday, November 16 to close out their first regular season in the Southland Conference.
