BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)THIBODAUX, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team (9-9, 1-3) used a strong defensive effort and a balanced attack to earn their first Southland win, defeating Nicholls 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 25-14, 25-20) on Tuesday night at Stopher Gym.
After facing a tie set, New Orleans used a three-point spurt to take a 21-17 lead. New Orleans was able to finish out the match from there, getting a kill by
Keke Irby to close out the first conference victory and break a four-match skid. It was also the first road victory for the Privateers on the season.
New Orleans was able to get out to a 10-6 lead in the fourth set, but the Colonels stormed back to take the next five points and a one-point advantage. New Orleans came right back with a balanced attack to re-take the lead and extend it to 16-12. The Colonels rallied back once again to tie the set at 16-16.
The Colonels had a fast start to the match as they raced out to an 8-1 lead in the first set on the strength of three service aces and two blocks. New Orleans was able to trim the lead down to three on a couple of different occasions, but could not get closer. The Colonels wound up registering four blocks in the opening set.
New Orleans turned the tide in the second set behind an efficient offense. New Orleans broke open a set that was tied at 5-5 by scoring six of the next seven points. After Nicholls called timeout, the teams traded rallies for a stretch. With the score at 14-10, New Orleans went on a run of six straight points to put the set out of reach. The Privateers hit .448 in the second set (14 kills, 1 error, 29 attempts).
Out of the halftime break, the Privateers asserted their will at a similar point by breaking a 7-7 tie with a run of seven points over the next nine rallies. New Orleans was able to coast from there to win the set and move ahead in the match at 2-1.
Two players ended up with double-doubles:
Blessing Dunn had 16 kills and 22 digs.
Samantha Uline added 12 kills and 13 digs while also tallying three block assists.
Lauren Levy had a season-best 24 digs.
Takierra Boughton added 10 kills to a Privateers attack that hit .257 on the evening.
Celeste Ramirez had 41 assists and eight digs. Irby led the way in blocks with five total (one solo, four assist).
Kaitlyn Grice added six kills and three blocks.
For the Colonels (5-12, 0-5), Kaci Eaton led the attack with 17 kills. Anna Niederhauser also landed in double figures with 12 kills. Alyse Barclay recorded 36 assists and 11 digs. Kali Schwartz was in on four of the team's seven blocks at the net. Stephanie Tobison led all Colonels in digs with 21. Sydney Lerille had three aces, all in the first set.
The Privateers will return home on Thursday to face Southern. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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