NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers (13-17, 6-10) secured a crucial third set behind a balanced attack and competitive service game to score a 3-1 win over the HBU Huskies (17-4, 9-7) on Senior Day, Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
The win sealed a spot for the Privateers in the Southland Tournament for the first time since 2015.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Four Privateers landed in double figures in kills.
Ehize Omoghibo led the charge with 17 and added 12 digs.
Chloe Hampton,
Brianna Vega, and
Sh'Diamond Holly each notched 10 kills.
Lucie Pokorna finished with 45 assists and four of the team's nine service aces. Holly was in on four of the Privateers' six total blocks.
Rhyan Rand had 19 digs while
Andrea Nava (15) and
Kayla Cornett (12) also posted double figures in digs.
FIRST SET
The match was ultra competitive from the jump with eight ties and four lead changes featured in the opening set. Trailing 23-22, the Privateers got two consecutive points on kills from Omoghibo. The set finished with a ball handling error on HBU's side
SECOND SET
HBU separated early to a 13-6 advantage but the Privateers came roaring back. A 9-2 run over the next 11 points tied the set at 15-15. The Huskies then responded with three straight points and were able to stave off the Privateers for the remainder of the set. HBU got a kill each from Mikayla Vivens and Kelly Colwell to finish off the set and tie the match.
THIRD SET
Though the Privateers never trailed, the score was tied seven times in the third set. New Orleans led 22-17 but the Huskies rattled off five straight points to tie the set at 22-22. A kill by Vega assisted from
Amanda Wurster broke the knot. The Privateers had three looks at set point but it turned out the fourth was the charm as Vega posted a kill to give New Orleans a 2-1 edge.
FOURTH SET
What turned out to be the final set was a demonstrative start for the Privateers. With Cornett serving, New Orleans racked up five straight points to stretch to a 9-4 lead. The Privateer led was as large as seven at 16-9 and they withstood a belated Huskies push that trimmed the advantage to 19-16. New Orleans scored seven of the last nine points with the match clincher coming on a block by Vega and Holly.
NEXT UP
The Privateers have qualified for the Southland tournament as the eight-seed and will face Stephen F. Austin in the opening round in Conway, Ark.
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