JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Four New Orleans Privateers reached double figures in kills in a hard fought 3-2 win (25-17, 25-27, 25-23, 23-25, 15-10) over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions on Saturday afternoon at the Gamecock Classic.
The fifth set began with the momentum on the Privateers' side as they led 6-2. Arkansas-Pine Bluff rallied to cut the lead to 9-7 but the Privateers took advantage of a couple of UAPB attack errors to remain in front.
With the score at 13-10 in favor of New Orleans,
Courtney Roundtree stepped up with two big kills to seal the first victory of the season. Roundtree finished her afternoon contributing in several aspects with 13 kills, a team-high six blocks and five digs.
Divine Muo got the offense going early in a strong first set for the Privateers. She scored three of the first six points at the outset with two kills and an ace. That set the tone for a 16-kill, 11-dig performance for Muo. The Privateers won the first set by notching 13 kills in their first 17 points. They had 20 kills for the set.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff adjusted in the second set as their offense got going with 17 kills. That was after the Privateers held them to just three kills in the first set. New Orleans did stave off three Golden Lions set points and had a look at one of their own while ahead 25-24.
However, Amayah Jones got a kill and the Golden Lions scored the next two points to level the match at 1-1.
The Privateers had a huge comeback in the third set. After falling behind by as many as nine points (14-5),
Defne Eciroglu got the Golden Lions stuck in a service rotation that nearly erased the entire deficit. With the score tied at 23-23, the Golden Lions committed a service error.
Then
Chelsea Daffin registered her ninth kill of the day to finish the set. Daffin had 15 kills and 19 digs.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff won the fourth set after coming back from an early 7-2 deficit. The Golden Lions were big at the net with six total blocks to send the match to a fifth and deciding set but it was the Privateers who won the day with 22 more kills and 20 more digs than their opponent.
INSIDE THE BOX
Dayla Ward finished with 30 digs and nine assists on the day. Eciroglu tallied 38 assists and added 11 digs.
Ava Kennon had nine kills and an attack percentage of .438.
Jaedyn Newman finished with 15 kills and eight digs.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will travel to Tallahassee next weekend to compete in the Florida A&M invitational against the host Rattlers, Jacksonville and Southern.
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!
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