BEAUMONT, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers used stellar defense and big offensive performances from their outside hitters in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-23) victory over the Lamar Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at McDonald Gym.
It was a dramatic third set that came down to the very end. A kill by
Ryan Williams put the Privateers ahead 24-23 and gave the first look at match point. The Privateers won the match on the next rally when a ball was hit long, a call which stood through video review.
The combination of Williams and
Karen Cordero Barr got the Privateer offense jump started early. They had nine kills within their first 16 attempts in the first set but there was little on the scoreboard to separate the two sides.
The largest lead on either side was four points when New Orleans was ahead 22-18. The Privateers were able to stave off a late charge when Lamar's Taisha Rhone served into the net.
In the second, New Orleans was clicking on all cylinders early as they raced out to a 7-2 lead. The Privateers continued to build upon that advantage, which was as big as 11 points when they lead 17-6.
Buse Kocakaya had five kills in the set and the Privateers more than doubled the kill output of Lamar for the set (13-6). The Privateers also had three service aces and three blocks in the set. The Cardinals had more attack errors (9) than kills on the set.
Both sides traded the lead early in the third set and the Cardinals were in good position, leading 16-13. The Privateers quickly erased that deficit though and pushed themselves ahead 21-19 in the latter stages.
INSIDE THE BOX
Williams notched a team-high and career-best 16 kills on the day. Cordero had her fourth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 13 digs. Kocakaya added seven kills on the day.
Defne Eciroglu had a career-best 33 assists to go along with nine digs and three kills.
Elani Ratchkovska added two solo blocks.
Rita Zecchin finished with 12 of the Privateers' 56 digs on the contest.
A shorthanded Lamar squad was led offensively by Lyric Jordan's 11 kills. Rhone finished with eight kills for the Cardinals.
NEXT UP
The Privateers return home on Thursday, Oct. 5 to take on Nicholls at 6:30 p.m.
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