Privateers Vault to Early Lead, Defeat Southeastern

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HAMMOND, La. – The New Orleans Privateers (16-13, 5-7 Southland) used early spurts in the first second and fourth set to key a 3-1 win (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-16) over the Southeastern Lady Lions (11-15, 5-7) on Tuesday at the University Center. The Privateers have pushed their winning streak to four with the victory.
 
After being pushed to a fourth set, the Privateers used the momentum gained late in the third set to gain an 11-6 lead. New Orleans extended that lead further on the service of Samantha Uline who recorded two aces in one rotation to help push the Privateers lead to as much as ten.
 
New Orleans was able to see out the rest of the set behind their highest set attack percentage: the Privateers hit .250 in the fourth set and also had the slight edge in blocks, recording seven to Southeastern's five on the evening.
 
The Privateers got some early separation by winning four straight points after an even start to take a 10-5 lead. New Orleans led by as many as seven, but Southeastern trimmed the lead to 18-15 forcing a Privateers timeout. Out of the break, New Orleans scored back-to-back points and eventually finished off a first set where they never trailed.
 
New Orleans began the second set in similar fashion, using a 6-0 run to gain an early 11-4 lead. The Lady Lions again were playing from behind, but immediately rattled off four straight points to cut the New Orleans lead to three. Southeastern cut the lead to as little as two, but the Privateers were able to finish off the set behind a balanced offense.
 
Out of the break, Southeastern raced out to an early 5-1 lead and never looked back. The Lady Lions had set point at 24-12, but the Privateers earned five straight points to stave off set point for a spell. Southeastern was eventually able to finish off the set and push a fourth set on a kill by Landry Bullock.
 
The Privateers were led individually by Kaitlyn Grice who had 12 kills, a .600 attack percentage and was in on six of the team's seven blocks. Cara Sander added 11 kills while Blessing Dunn posted eight. Celeste Ramirez registered a double-double with 36 assists and 11 digs. Shaylene Reimer had a team-high 21 digs and added three aces.
 
Southeastern was led by Parrie Hartley who had 12 kills. Landry Bullock had 11 and added two block assists. Madi Odom and Veronica Turk each added seven kills while Turk was in on all five blocks. Monica Ramon had a match-high 23 digs.
 
The Privateers will return home to take on Lamar on Thursday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.