New Orleans- The University of New Orleans volleyball team returns to action against one of the Southland Conference leaders, Stephen F. Austin, Thursday, October 26, at the Human Performance Center. First serve is set for 6:30 p. m.
New Orleans (9-13,3-7 Southland) dropped its previous contest to the Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14 last Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
With six matches left in the season, head coach
Millicent Van Norden knows each outing is important as the Privateers strive to make the Southland Conference Tournament.
"We've missed some opportunities but postseason play is not out of reach. We just have to play consistently. Obviously, the pressure's on but some of the teams we've lost to of late are in the upper echelon and they've already solidified their spots in the top five," said Van Norden.
UNO's
Kaitlyn Grice remains the SLC leader in hitting percentage at .351. The junior is second in the conference in blocks with 1.21 Blk/Set.
Blessing Dunn, a junior and team captain, paces the Privateers in three categories---kills (2.19K/Set), digs (3.00 Dig/Set) and service aces (22). Junior Nela Grau, of Valencia, Spain, leads the Privateers in assists (6.11 Ast/Set) while
Sarah Thomas, in only 47 sets of action, is next with 5.72 Ast/Set.
Lane Hindenburg continues her solid play for the Privateers with 182 kills for 2.17 K/Set. The junior was one of three Privateers with double-digit kills in the Northwestern State game with 12.
Kyra Hunter had 13 and
Rondolyn Bryant with 10.
Stephen F. Austin (21-5,9-1 Southland) is riding the crest of a seven game winning streak and sit in second place in the conference behind Sam Houston State. The Lady Jacks are tops in the SLC in hitting percentage (.264), second in opposition hitting percentage (.165) and third in digs (16.30).
Makenzee Hanna is one of three Lady Jacks in the top ten in the conference in hitting percentage. She ranks second to
Kaitlyn Grice at .349.
The Lady Jacks defeated New Orleans earlier this month in Nacogdoches, Texas, 3-0 (25-12, 25-9, 26-24).
As an added feature at the Stephen F. Austin match, UNO Volleyball will work in conjunction with the American Cancer Society to fight all types of cancer. "Team Keep It Moving" will be at the match raising money to fight the disease. They'll wear lime-green for lymphoma and pink for breast cancer.
After Thursday's outing against Stephen F. Austin, the Privateers will face Lamar at the Human Performance Center, Saturday, October 28 at Noon..
Fans are encouraged to follow
@UNOPrivateers on Twitter,
@UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like
/UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
For more information on New Orleans Women's Volleyball and Privateers Athletics, visit our official website,
www.unoprivateers.com or follow us on social media.
--www.UNOPrivateers.com--
