HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Kaitlyn Grice was spectacular Thursday evening at Bernard G. Coliseum, finishing with 13 kills and adding seven blocks but the University of New Orleans (7-8, 1-2 Southland) was on the wrong end of a 3-1 match versus Sam Houston State University (6-9, 3-0 Southland). Grice hit .500 and her seven blocks surpassed the Bearkats' total as a team. Both numbers were match-highs in the 27-25, 15-25, 19-25, 18-25 contest.
FIRST SET
A comeback opened the match as the Privateers, who trailed 16-11 and later 20-17 rallied from behind to take the set 27-25 for a 1-0 lead. Grice was unstoppable with six kills and two blocks while
Blessing Dunn and
Lane Hindenburg added three kills apiece.
Kyra Hunter tallied two blocks and
Andrea Nava registered seven digs.
Brianna Vega was credited with two aces in the stanza.
SECOND SET
The Bearkats regrouped and dominated their way to a 25-15 victory to knot the match at 1-1. Heading into set No. 3, Grice was tied for the match-high with eight kills and her three blocks were the most. Dunn and Hunter followed with six kills apiece and Hindenburg collected five.
THIRD SET
Coming out of the break, SHSU continued to take advantage of its home court, jumping out to a 7-2 lead before a Hunter kill ended a 4-0 run. The kill moved momentum in favor of UNO with Hunter's point catapulting New Orleans to four unanswered to cut deficit to one.
The resilient Privateers chipped away at the Bearkats' lead, scoring four consecutive behind clutch serving and kills to tie the set at 14-14.
Grice was the first player to reach double digit kills and she was soon joined by Hunter.
Sam Houston was able to secure the victory 25-19 and take a 2-1 edge in the match.
FOURTH SET
The Bearkats were able to clinch the win with a 25-18 W in No. 4.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Hunter registered 11 kills and added five digs and three blocks. Dunn recorded eight kills, nine digs and two blocks,
Rondolyn Bryant tallied three swats and Vega collected two aces and 10 digs. Nava led all Privateers with 11 digs and
Sarah Thomas added seven digs to go with her 13 assists, second to
Manela Grau's 27.
NEXT UP
New Orleans heads to Moody Coliseum to take on Abilene Christian University (5-10, 1-2 Southland) Saturday at 2 p.m. The Wildcats defeated Southeastern Louisiana University in straight sets tonight.
AT A GLANCE
Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m. – New Orleans (7-8, 1-2 Southland) at Abilene Christian (5-10, 1-2 Southland)
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