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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers (11-10, 2-4) took an early lead, but could not sustain, falling 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16) to the Northwestern State Lady Demons (5-17, 3-6) on Thursday evening at the Human Performance Center.
New Orleans got out to an early 9-4 lead when Northwestern State called timeout. The Lady Demons won three straight out of the stoppage and continued their momentum, recording blocks on three straight rallies to lead 12-10. Northwestern State was able to draw away from there, leading by as many as seven before completing the victory.
The Privateers raced to a 12-6 lead in the opening set, racking up four service aces in that span to set the tone. Northwestern State slowly chipped away and tied the set at 22-22. After the teams traded points to keep the score tied, kills by
Cara Sander and
Blessing Dunn finished off the opening set for the home side.
Northwestern State had the stronger start in the second set. The Lady Demons got out to an 11-7 lead to start and never trailed. The Privateers narrowed that early four-point gap to one on two different occasions, but could not pull to level terms. The Lady Demons ended the set with a 6-1 run to tie the match at 1-1.
Out of the halftime break, the Privateers started with the first three points of the third set. New Orleans was able to maintain a lead until Northwestern State busted a 7-0 run when trailing by two. After the run was finished, the Lady Demons moved ahead 19-14 and the Lady Demons were able to finish the set from there.
Sander led the team with 12 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Dunn wound up with 10 kills and five digs.
Rondolyn Bryant added seven kills and
Takierra Boughton posted six.
Sara Hammoutene wound up with 20 assists and
Celeste Ramirez assisted on 13 Privateers kills. Ramirez also had two of the Privateers' four aces. Sander and
Keke Irby each had three block assists.
Northwestern State was led by Caitlin O'Connell who racked up 16 kills. Lauren Agan added 15 kills and seven digs. Amanda Kunz put up nine kills and Channing Burleson added eight. The Lady Demons had 11 total blocks with Glynna Johnson featuring on six (three solo, three assist). Bailey Martin led the team in digs with 14.
The Privateers will be back in action on Saturday against Stephen F. Austin. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.
To keep up with the latest New Orleans volleyball news, follow the team on Twitter
@UNOPrivateers and
@Privateers_VB or by liking New Orleans Privateers on
Facebook.
