Sander, Hammoutene Return, Privateers Sweep Southern

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers (10-9) overcame early deficits in the first two sets to ultimately defeat the Southern Jaguars 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-12) on Thursday evening at the Human Performance Center.
 
The Privateers fell behind 6-0 at the start of the first set and faced a deficit that was as large as seven before mounting a charge. Trailing 17-13, the Privateers scored six straight points on kills by three different players including Cara Sander who made her return to the lineup from injury. Sander finished off the opening set with a kill.
 
Also returning to the court was Sara Hammoutene who had missed the last month. Hammoutene came in during the second set with the Privateers trailing 11-6. Shortly afterward, New Orleans went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit down to one. The set was tied at 17-17 when New Orleans went on an 8-2 run fueled by two kills each from Kaitlyn Grice and Milica Zmiric.
 
New Orleans had an easier time of it in the third set, opening up a 16-5 lead. The Jaguars were held to a -.182 attack percentage in the final set with just four kills and eight errors. The match was finished off on the final error of the night for Southern.
 
Sander racked up 12 kills to lead the offense in her return and also had six digs. Grice and Rondolyn Bryant each had six kills while Takierra Boughton chipped in with four kills. Shaylene Reimer had four of the team's five service aces. Lauren Levy went for double figures in digs with 12 while Blessing Dunn notched eight digs.
 
Southern (2-14) was paced offensively by Melodie Malone, who had seven kills. Leilani Lealaimatafao had six kills and Paige Hall added five. Vaterra Calais had 19 assists and Diamond Williams went for a team-best 11 digs.
 
New Orleans returns to conference action against Southeastern on Saturday. 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.