LAFAYETTE, La. – The New Orleans Privateers capitalized on opportunities early but the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns rallied to defeat the Privateers 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-13, 25-13) in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic on Friday evening at Earl K. Long Gymnasium.
The Privateers erased an early Ragin' Cajuns advantage through strong defense. Louisiana led 4-1 but the Privateers subsequently stuck the home side in a rotation and scored eight straight points. New Orleans built a 20-11 lead during the set.
However, the Cajuns rallied to tighten things up as they closed the gap to 24-23 near the end of the set. After a timeout though,
Karen Cordero Barr delivered on set point for the Privateers with a kill down the line.
The Cajuns reset for the second set as they rattled off six consecutive points after dropping the first two of the set. Louisiana was led by Mya Wilson's six kills which helped keep the Cajuns comfortably in front throughout the set as they leveled the match at 1-1.
Louisiana steadily edged away to a 14-8 lead at the outset of the third. The Cajuns cut down on the errors after committing 14 through the first two sets. They had just two in the early stretch and went on to a 25-13 victory in the set and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
In the fourth set, Louisiana scored the first eight points of the set before the Privateers got on the board thanks to a ball handling error. New Orleans clawed back to within five points as they trailed 14-9 but Louisiana opened it up again with a run of seven straight points to put the set and the match out of reach.
INSIDE THE BOX
Molly Kehoe destroyed her previous career high as she recorded 25 digs to lead the team. She more than doubled her previous career best (8). Cordero had eight kills to lead the offense and
Ava Kennon finished with seven kills.
Buse Kocakaya got her first start of the season and recorded three total blocks along with five kills.
Lani Alleman finished with 10 digs and
Courtney Roundtree was in on three blocks at the net.
The Cajuns were led by Shyia Richardson who had 22 kills and hit .327. Wilson (12) and Celeste Darling (10) also reached double figures in kills.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will play their final non-conference match against Prairie View on Saturday at 11 a.m.
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