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NEW ORLEANS – Brianna Vega and
Kaitlyn Grice combined for 24 kills as the University of New Orleans (9-9, 3-1) defeated Northwestern State University (5-8, 1-2) in five sets 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 15-13 Thursday evening in the Human Performance Center.
The 3-1 mark in conference play is the best start since 2009 when the Privateers where still members of the Sunbelt Conference started 5-1.
Grice led the Blue and Silver with 13 kill and six blocks in the match. Vega added 11 kills and a service ace.
Blessing Dunn finished with nine kills and 15 digs.
Andrea Nava led the way in digs with 22 and
Sarah Thomas dished out 36 assists.
SET ONE
The Privateers set the tone early as they jumped out to a 7-4 lead. Later in the set, the Privateers would extend their lead to 22-14 on the back of a 6-0 run highlighted by a Dunn service ace and a Vega kill. And New Orleans eventually took set one 25-18. Grice finished set one with four kills.
SET TWO
Early in the set saw the Lady Demons jump out to an 8-7 lead. But the resilient Privateers regained the lead on an NSU attack error. From there the teams traded leads seven times but Northwestern tied things at 1-1 with 25-23 set two win.
SET THREE
UNO was dominating early starting the set on a 7-0 run highlighted by a by a pair of kills from Grice and Hunter. Later in the set, the Privateers opened up a nine-point lead at 19-10, and shortly thereafter took set three 25-18 and a 2-1 lead in the match. Vega finished the set with five kills.
Kyra Hunter and Grice teamed up for a block.
SET FOUR
The Demons dominated in the four-set never trailing, as they took set four 25-15 and tied the match at 2-2 to send it to set five.
SET FIVE
New Orleans looked to set the tone early in the decisive fifth set getting out to a 6-4 lead early. But NSU went on a 4-1 run to make it 8-5 as the team switched sides. Grice gave the Privateers the lead back with a pair of kills to make it 9-8. Later on, UNO opened up a three-point cushion at 13-10 and a few moments later Vega sent the New Orleans faithful home happy with a kill as UNO took set five 15-13. Dunn and Grice each had three kills in the set.
NEXT UP
UNO wraps up its busy week in conference as they take on Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at 1 p.m. back in the Human Performance Center.
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