NATCHITOCHES, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team (6-16, 0-8 Southland) fell victim to a strong blocking game as part of a 3-0 loss (25-20, 25-11, 25-15) to the Northwestern State Lady Demons (8-12, 5-2) on Thursday night at Prather Coliseum.
The Privateers fell into an early 5-1 hole and conceded two service aces in the early going. The two teams traded rallies until New Orleans used a four-point mini run to tie the score at 17-17. New Orleans briefly took the lead 20-19, but Northwestern State used two kills by Mackenzie Neely and two blocks at the net to win the last six points and the opening set.
Both teams split the first 10 rallies in half, but Northwestern State used a huge run to seize command of the second set. The Lady Demons ripped off the next five points before an attack error ended the run. The Lady Demons continued to grow their lead, and finished off the set with back-to-back aces. In all, the service game was responsible for seven aces.
In the third set, New Orleans kept the score close early on. Tied at 14-14, Northwestern State garnered command behind an 11-1 run to close the match. The Lady Demons registered four of the next five points on blocks to break the tie and had 12 blocks in all on the night.
Leading New Orleans' attack was
Mikayla Sellers-Wiebe who had 11 kills after having to miss Saturday's match against Southeastern because of the flu.
Cara Sander added nine kills and an attack percentage of .333.
Celeste Ramirez had 12 digs and 15 assists after playing the first two sets at setter and the final set at libero.
Northwestern State was paced by Mackenzie Neely who had 10 kills. Caiti O'Connell had seven kills and two service aces. Bailey Martin and Emily Johnson each went for double digit digs with 15 and 10 respectively. Amanda Kunz had a hand on four blocks (one solo, three assist).
The Privateers will next travel to Stephen F. Austin to face the LadyJacks on Saturday. First serve is for 1 p.m.
