Defense, Timely Aces Propels Privateers to Comeback Victory

NEW ORLEANS - A spirited rally and impenetrable defense brought the New Orleans Privateers (10-10, 3-3) back from an early deficit in a 3-1 victory (19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24) over the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (8-11, 2-4) on Saturday afternoon at the Human Performance Center.
 
New Orleans held Central Arkansas under a .200 attack percentage in each of the last three sets. The win is the second ever for New Orleans against the Sugar Bears and the first since joining the Southland.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
New Orleans had 59 digs for the afternoon. Andrea Nava led the category individually with 20. Rhyan Rand recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs. Ehize Omoghibo also registered 12 kills and added three total blocks. Brianna Vega had nine kills and Sh'Diamond Holly posted eight kills along with four aces and three blocks. Lucie Pokorna racked up 40 assists.
 
FIRST SET
The tone was set for a competitive bout early on with five ties and three leaders changes in the opening set. Central Arkansas assumed the lead for good with a four-point spurt to go ahead 16-14. Nine of the next 12 points went the Sugar Bears' way as they hit .455 for the set.
 
SECOND SET
New Orleans began to turn the match around with an emphasis on defense. The Privateers limited UCA to a .167 attack percentage in the second set. With the score tied at 22-22, an attack error pushed the Privateers narrowly in front. Then Vega came up with two critical service aces to close the set and tie the match at 1-1.
 
THIRD SET
The Privateers broke fast with an 8-2 run to begin the set. The Sugar Bears climbed back into the set, eventually leveling the score at 12-12. However, New Orleans never trailed as they were led to a 2-1 advantage by five Omoghibo kills.
 
FOURTH SET
Both sides saw the score tied eight times and the lead change hands five times. No team led by more than four points for the entire set. It was New Orleans again who finished strong to seal the victory. Facing set point down 24-23, a bad set tied the score at 24-24. After an Omoghibo kill, Vega delivered another service ace to put the finishing touches on the victory. Holly had three consecutive aces at the beginning of the set.
 
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face McNeese at the HPC on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The match is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.
 
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