THIBODAUX, La. – Thursday's in-state battle had the feel of a match that was going to go deep into the night and it did. The New Orleans Privateers (12-16, 5-9) though fell just short in a 3-2 loss (33-31, 23-25, 27-29, 25-21, 15-13) to the Nicholls Colonels (11-13, 5-8) at Stopher Gym.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Ehize Omoghibo set a new career mark with 28 kills and also added three blocks.
Sh'Diamond Holly (11) and
Rhyan Rand (10) also reached double figures in kills.
Lucie Pokorna had 48 assists, 15 digs, and nine kills.
Andrea Nava posted a team-high 23 digs.
Trinity Jackson finished with 10 digs. Pokorna, Rand, and
Kayla Cornett each had two service aces.
FIRST SET
The Privateers rallied from as many as six points down at 16-10. Nicholls had four looks at set point that New Orleans fought off. However, an attack error ensured the opening set to the home side. Nicholls had four service aces. New Orleans had the edge in kills at 21-17.
SECOND SET
It was New Orleans' turn to start with the momentum. The Privateers scored six of the first eight points in the set and had command until Nicholls scored six straight points to tie the set at 19-19. However, New Orleans never lost the lead. Kills by Rand and Pokorna gave the Privateers a 24-22 lead and they closed the set two points later on a Nicholls service error.
THIRD SET
Another competitive set went deep into extra rallies. The Privateers led through most of the very early stages but fell behind 15-12. A four-point surge put New Orleans back in front and the set went back-and-forth from that point. Jackson provided the big finish with a kill to put the Privateers on the brink of victory.
FOURTH SET
New Orleans kicked away to a 15-10 lead early in the set but the Colonels came storming back. They scored eight of the next ten points to assume the lead. After New Orleans tied it back up at 21-21, the Colonels responded with four straight points to force a deciding fifth set. Katie Jones had two kills and the Colonels got a tandem block from Jones and Kimberly Iwunze.
FIFTH SET
The last set began with the Privateers jumping out to an early 5-2 lead. Emily Gauthreaux then racked up four straight kills to help put the Colonels ahead by two late. Omoghibo helped the Privateers get back on level terms with two kills and a block assist. But a service error followed by another Gauthreaux kill sealed the match for Nicholls.
NEXT UP
The Privateers return home to face Sam Houston State on Thursday, Nov. 14. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
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