NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers matched the McNeese Cowgirls' kill total but they fell on the short end of a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-19) decision to the visiting Cowgirls on Thursday night at the Human Performance Center.
 
Both teams produced 34 kills on the night but McNeese had 14 fewer attack errors and a 7-2 advantage in the blocks category.
 
The first two sets saw tight scorelines through the first 25 rallies. Chelsea Daffin produced a kill that cut the McNeese lead to 14-12 in the opening set but the Cowgirls responded with five consecutive points. Two of those came on blocks by Naterah Moore (one solo, one assist) that helped put the first set out of reach.
 
New Orleans got out to an early 8-5 lead as the service rotation of Lani Alleman helped stick the Cowgirls in a rotation. Once McNeese got out of it, Megan Grose's service ace pushed the Cowgirls ahead for good at 14-13. McNeese took the set despite being outpaced 13-8 by the Privateers in kills.
 
McNeese started their run earlier in the third set as they got to a 16-9 lead. The Privateers cut the Cowgirls' advantage to three at one point but could not get closer. The victory for McNeese was their 10^th consecutive over New Orleans dating back to 2019.
 
McKenzie Moore led the Cowgirls' attack with 12 kills and added five digs. Naterah had five kills and four total blocks. Bailey Tillman had 14 digs with eight coming in the third set.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
Courtney Roundtree led the Privateers' offense with 10 kills. Divine Muo finished with seven kills and Daffin added six kills. Alleman led the Privateers' defense with 10 digs. Defne Eciroglu and Alexis Belarmino had 13 assists each.
 
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Nicholls on Saturday with a first serve for 1 p.m.
 
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