Volleyball Digs Deep In Victory Over Louisiana Tech

BOX SCORE (PDF)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The University of New Orleans put on a defensive clinic on Friday evening in the Redhawks Drury Hotels Invitational, holding Louisiana Tech under .100 in two sets of a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-13) victory.

As a unit, the Privateers (1-1) boasted 76 digs, tied for the third-most since Millicent Van Norden began her tenure as head coach of the program. Sophomore outside hitter Blessing Dunn (Business Management) anchored the defense with 22 digs to go with 11 kills for her first double-double of the season. Sophomore libero Samantha Uline (Biology Sciences) chipped in a career-best 18 digs while freshman outside hitter Jordan Yauch (Biology Sciences) added 13 digs and a team-high 15 kills for her first collegiate double-double.

"Defense this match was the focus," Van Norden said. "Our first contact improved on receives and we made up a lot of ground by playing strong defense."

UNO's defensive capabilities were on full display in the final set, posting a match-high 25 digs to hold Louisiana Tech (0-2) to a .021 hitting percentage in a dominant 25-13 outing. The Privateers controlled the frame from the start and never allowed the opposition to score more than three-consecutive points.

A stingy New Orleans defense held the Lady Techsters to a .061 hitting percentage in the second frame, helping the Privateers take a two-set lead with a 25-20 win. After a quick exchange of the opening six points of the frame, the royal blue and silver went on a 5-0 run to take the lead in the second set 10-6. Yauch orchestrated the spree, chipping in back-to-back service aces in the rally. UNO began pulling away in the middle of the set, using a 4-0 spurt to create separation from Louisiana Tech at 17-12.

After a slow start to the match, surrendering four-straight points, the Privateers bounced back with a 5-0 counter to take the lead at 5-4. UNO benefited from another 5-0 spree later in the set, this time propelling the royal blue and silver to an 18-11 advantage. New Orleans never trailed for the remainder of the set en route to a 25-21 victory in the opening frame, overcoming a 10-3 rally by Louisiana Tech which knotted the score at 21-all.

Facing elimination, Louisiana Tech jumped out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back to force a fourth set with a 25-21 victory in the third set. The Privateers used an 8-1 rally to bring the match to within one at 19-18, but La Tech responded with a pair of points to extend their lead to three. UNO countered with two-straight, only to surrender two to the Lady Techsters to keep the deficit at three at 23-20.     

Freshman setter Sarah Thomas (Accounting & Finances) posted 44 assists with six digs, three service aces and a pair of kills in the Privateers' victory. Senior middle blocker Keke Richards (Business Management) finished the contest with 10 kills on a .526 clip.

UNO wraps up competition in the Redhawks invitation on Saturday, Aug. 27 when they take on Illinois-Chicago at 11 a.m. The Privateers play their first home contest of the season on Thursday, Sept. 22 against Houston Baptist at 7 pm in the Southland Conference opener. Admission to all Privateer home matches is free.