NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers and UIW Cardinals went through a fierce five-set battle that featured 49 ties including 23 in the first set alone and it was the Privateers who gutted out a 3-2 (27-25, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-9) win over the Cardinals on Thursday at the Human Performance Center.
The Cardinals raced to a 4-1 lead and had a 6-3 advantage in the fifth set. The Privateers then went on a run of seven straight points.
Karen Cordero Barr started the run with kills on three consecutive rallies. New Orleans expanded the run through their block as they had two rejections late in the set to extend their lead to 12-7.
With the win, the Privateers have defeated the Cardinals at home in five sets over the last two seasons.
The match started with an incredible 23 ties as neither team could gain a decisive edge. The Privateers saved three set point attempts by UIW before they turned the tide in their favor early with a kill from
Karen Cordero Barr kill. Cordero had a season-high 24 kills to lead the Privateer offense.
UIW used a 9-0 run to gain enough separation in the second set. The service of Anuhea Faitau produced two aces in that set as the Cardinals built a 21-16 advantage that they were able to hold for the remainder of the set to tie the match at 1-1.
New Orleans' most efficient set came in the third when they hit .302. The Privateers built a 23-14 lead but had to stave off a belated Cardinals rally. UIW scored five straight points but the Privateers rebounded with a kill from Cordero and a Cardinal attack error.
The Cardinals were able to extend it to a fifth set after a stirring comeback in the fourth. After trailing 16-9, UIW quickly acted to erase the deficit. The Cardinals went on a 9-2 run to tie the score at 18-18. They had three chances at set point while leading 24-21 but the Privateers saved the first two opportunities. Eventually, Allison Palmi ended the set with one of her 14 kills. She also added 16 digs defensively.
New Orleans had 33 digs in the first set and finished with 96 for the night. The Privateers also had a 67-59 advantage in the kill department.
INSIDE THE BOX
Ryan Williams (14) and
Courtney Roundtree (11) landed in double figures in kills.
Vera Beltrame had new season-highs in assists with 57 and digs with 17.
Lani Alleman led the back row with 30 digs including 11 in the first set.
Rita Zecchin had 21 digs. Roundtree had six total blocks.
Sydney Gott and
Irene Kitson each had four total blocks.
Finley Evans finished with 12 kills. Mariela Nieto added a team-best 27 digs. Alexis Walker had eight kills with five blocks and hit .438. Natalie Kimmel added 24 assists and 13 digs.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at 1 p.m.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
Visit UNOPrivateers.com/signup to stay connected and follow us @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersVB on Twitter/X,
@PrivateersVB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersVB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
