NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team (6-19, 0-11 Southland) lost a long first set en route to a 3-1 loss (32-30, 25-16, 18-25, 25-15) against the Incarnate Word Cardinals (7-17, 3-8) in the Dig Pink game on Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
The Privateers wound up on the short end of an elongated first set. New Orleans led for the majority of the first set, and had a 24-22 advantage. Back-to-back kills though pushed the set to extra rallies. The Cardinals had six service errors, but were able to end the set on a service ace from Shaina Garza at 32-30.
New Orleans conceded a 7-0 run that helped decide the second set. Trailing 11-8, the Privateers had two attack errors and had another attack blocked at the net. Bryaunea Hall also had two kills in that span to help carry the Cardinals to a 25-16 set victory and a 2-0 lead heading to the break.
At halftime, the Privateers community honored Denise Farrae-Keller, a Privateer alum (1983-86) who is currently battling breast cancer.
After the break, New Orleans came out sharp to race to an early 8-2 lead in the third set. The Privateers withstood a charge from the Cardinals, which cut that lead to one. New Orleans regained their early cushion, but lost
Celeste Ramirez to injury toward the end of the set.
In the fourth set, the Privateers kept it close early on, but the Cardinals were able to steadily pull away, using a 6-0 run to cap off the set. The Cardinals registered a .333 attack percentage on the match and had a 60-42 advantage in the kill department.
The Privateers were led offensively by
Cara Sander who had 12 kills.
Rondolyn Bryant added 10 kills and
Mikayla Sellers-Wiebe chipped in with nine.
Taylor Berry had four total blocks (one solo, three assist) on the afternoon.
Incarnate Word had three players reach double figures in kills. Bryaunea Hall had 14 kills and Shaina Garza and Angelique Viduarri each added 13. Madison Williams assisted on 53 of the Cardinals' 60 kills on the match.
New Orleans will hit the road for four matches before returning back home for Senior Night against McNeese State on Nov. 11.
