NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team (4-6) treks north to the Sugar Bear Tournament hosted by fellow Southland foe Central Arkansas at the Prince Center in Conway. The tournament begins on Friday, September 19.
New Orleans has lost four in a row after dropping all three matches at the Louisiana Tech Fairfield Inn Invitational. The Privateers lost to Stephen F. Austin and Louisiana Tech in three sets, and closed with a four-set defeat against Texas-Pan American.
Celeste Ramirez was named to the all-tournament team for her defensive showing on the weekend. Ramirez totaled 41 digs including 22 in the final match of the weekend against Texas-Pan American. Ramirez has 123 digs (3.51 per set) heading into the weekend.
The Privateers also had two hitters return from injury last weekend.
Cara Sander returned from an ankle injury to post 21 kills in three matches, including 10 against Texas-Pan American. Sander has 97 kills on the year and currently stands eighth in the Southland in kills per set. Also,
Rondolyn Bryant returned and posted 18 kills. Bryant was also in on seven blocks (three solo, four assist).
Sara Hammoutene achieved a season-high in digs against Louisiana Tech with 13. Hammoutene also leads the Privateers in service aces with 11, and is currently at 8.48 assists per set which ranks seventh in the Southland.
New Orleans will face Central Arkansas (3-6) on Friday at 1 p.m. to open up the tournament and Southland Conference play. The Sugar Bears are the defending Southland champions. On Friday evening, the Privateers will face UNLV (8-3) for the first time since 2001. The weekend finishes with the first meeting against Grambling (1-7), which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday.
