Privateers Sweep Jackson State to Finish Off Regular Season

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers (19-15, 7-9 Southland) staved off a game Jackson State Lady Tigers squad (11-21, 7-1) in the first set and won 3-0 (29-27, 25-19, 25-17) on Monday at the Human Performance Center. 
 
New Orleans had to rally from a late deficit after leading most of the first set, which featured 11 ties and two lead changes. The Privateers led by as many as three, but were trailing 26-25 when Keke Irby tied it up with her sixth kill of the set. From there, Cara Sander scored the last three points for the Privateers to cap off the opening set.
 
The rest of the match was played in close terms, but both sets saw New Orleans gradually pull away. With an 8-6 lead, the Privateers used a spurt of six points in the next eight rallies to extend their lead to 14-8. Jackson State was not able to get closer than three point for the remainder of the game as the Privateers took a 2-0 lead.
 
The final set started with the two teams splitting the first eight rallies. New Orleans followed quickly with a 4-0 spurt. The Lady Tigers came back to within a point twice, but both times saw the Privateers keep their advantage. New Orleans delivered the deciding blow of the set, a 6-0 run to push what was a one-point lead to seven. Takierra Boughton capped off the win and the sweep with a kill. 
 
Irby tied a season-high with 13 kills and hit .550 for the match. Blessing Dunn joined Irby in double figures with 12 kills and also led the team in digs with seven. Sander also finished in double figures with ten. Kaitlyn Grice added six kills. Celeste Ramirez put up 38 assists and added four digs and two blocks. The Privateers hit over .400 in the second (.414) and third set (.467). New Orleans' hitting percentage for the match was .369.
 
Jackson State was led by Taija Thomas who posted 12 kills in 20 attempts. Alexsis Ford added nine kills and Jasmine Knight had six. Jenna Siddiqui has 21 assists and co-led the team in digs withsix. Tyler Moorer also had six digs and the Lady Tigers had five more digs on the night. Siddiqui and Mikayla Rolle each had a solo block and a block assist.
 
The Privateers will now begin their journey in the Southland Tournament on Friday, Nov. 20 against McNeese State. First serve is scheduled for 1:20 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.