NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers (13-12, 7-6) battled back from tough situations in sets two and three but were ultimately dealt their first home loss by a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-22) score by the McNeese Cowgirls (14-13, 10-3) on Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
The loss ended the Privateers' program record home winning streak at nine matches.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers were down 12-5 and both timeouts had already been used when they climbed back to within a point on two different occasions. However, McNeese came back with a 7-2 run of their own to close the set and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Sanni Rantanen and Nejra Hanic combined for four kills in that stretch as the Cowgirls turned back the Privateer rally to put them on the brink of victory.
The third set was tight early but McNeese surged to a 14-10 lead. However, New Orleans behind
Maite Solabarrieta's service and active defense on long rallies put the Privateers in front by one. Down the stretch, it was the Cowgirls behind Kendall Glueck's offense (two kills) and two blocks from Skyeler Embry and Rantanen that helped close the match in McNeese's favor.
For the day, McNeese had seven total blocks and posted a 44-31 advantage in the kill department.
INSIDE THE BOX
Trinity Jackson recorded a team-high nine kills and also added 15 digs.
Sheilah Purcell led the way in digs with 18.
Sophia Ewalefo recorded five kills in 13 swings and hit .308.
Mauri Carver and
Chandler Lee each had two block assists.
Claire Turner finished with 20 assists.
Glueck and Embry combined for 21 kills on the afternoon. Embry added 18 digs for McNeese while Bailey Tillman finished with 16. Rantanen led the way in blocks with three total (one solo, two assist).
NEXT UP
The Privateers will head to Texas to face Texas A&M-Commerce on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.
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