THIBODAUX, La. – The New Orleans Privateers set a positive early tone and held strong in the big points to secure a 3-1 win over the Nicholls Colonels on Saturday at Stopher Gym in their first Southland match of the season.
The Privateers dug their way back from early 10-6 deficits in each of the first two sets. New Orleans hit .343 as team in the opening set.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kai Williams,
Sh'Diamond Holly and
Alexis Parrish led the attack as they all reached double figures in kills. Williams had 14 while Holly and Parrish contributed 12 each. The block was also strong with 15 total in the four sets.
Holly led the way with seven total blocks while
Atira Jells added six. Jells also had six kills to just one error in 16 attempts.
Lucie Pokorna returned to the lineup and had a double-double with 39 assists and 16 digs. Four other Privateers reached double figures in digs including
Sheilah Purcell who had a match high 21.
Rita Zecchin had 16 digs to go along with seven kills.
Rani Williams added 11 digs and two aces while
Tara Goolsby chipped in with 12 digs.
HOW IT ENDED
The Privateers were down 19-15 in the fourth set on the heels of a late surge sealing the third set for the Colonels. That's when behind Rani's serve, two kills and two blocks, the Privateers had a run of five straight points to take a 20-19 lead.
An airtight set was tied four more times before New Orleans broke through. A kill from Kai set up the Privateers with match point and New Orleans was able to deliver on their second chance at it with Kai's 14
th and final kill of the match.
For the match, the Privateers held the Colonels under a .200 hitting percentage for two sets and had seven fewer attack errors on the day.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face HBU on Thursday, Sept. 30 in Houston. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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