NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers had several competitive sets today but fell 3-0 in both matches on Saturday against Georgia State and Louisiana Tech at the Human Performance Center.
GEORGIA STATE-3 NEW ORLEANS-0
The Privateers took the Panthers down to the wire in each of the last two sets but fell on the short end of a 25-15, 25-23, 25-22 score line in the first match of the day.
In the second set, Georgia State used a three-point spurt to break a 12-12 tie. From there, the Privateers got to within a point of tying the score on six different occasions but the Panthers had an answer each time. A Keionna Mackey kill sealed the second set and a 2-0 lead for the visitors.
The third set saw the Privateers again claw their way back from an early deficit. Georgia State led by as many as six points at 20-14 but the Privateers came roaring back in a stretch that involved two
Chelsea Daffin kills. New Orleans scored six of the next eight points to close the gap to 22-20.
A
Lani Alleman service ace trimmed the Georgia State lead further to 23-22 but another clutch kill by Mackey followed by the 12
th Panther ace of the match finished off the proceedings. Mackey led the team in kills with 11. Peyton Gash added 10 kills and Akira Burt finished with nine.
Georgia State broke open what was a close first set through the first 25 rallies. The Panthers went on an 11-4 run to close out the first set.
INSIDE THE BOX
Ava Kennon had a near perfect attack percentage with six kills and no errors in seven attempts. Daffin led the offense with seven kills while
Courtney Roundtree and
Buse Kocakaya added six kills apiece. Roundtree and Kocakaya also had three block assists each. Alleman had 13 digs and
Molly Kehoe finished with nine digs.
LOUISIANA TECH-3 NEW ORLEANS-0
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs had just seven attack errors and fought off a late New Orleans Privateers charge in the third set in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-20) decision in the last match of the Pelican Invitational.
New Orleans started with a 5-1 advantage in the third set behind the service of Roundtree. The score eventually leveled off at 11-11 before the deciding run that finished off the match.
Two Jailen Hurley kills and two blocks were part of an 8-0 run that provided the separation the Bulldogs needed. New Orleans fought back to get the lead down to three on three different occasions but could not draw closer.
Louisiana Tech used their block to get ahead early as they scored six of their first 16 points on blocks. Through that flurry though, the Privateers were still within range trailing 16-13 on the scoreboard. Megan Cooley helped secure the set for Louisiana Tech with four kills in the last eight rallies.
The Bulldogs hit .402 on the afternoon to pick up their first win of the weekend. Hurley led the Louisiana Tech offense with 14 kills.
INSIDE THE BOX
In the nightcap for New Orleans, Daffin had nine kills and eight digs. Kocakaya finished with six kills and Roundtree added five.
Alexis Belarmino had two service aces. Kehoe and
Defne Eciroglu finished with six digs each.
NEXT UP
Southland play begins next Saturday for the Privateers as they host Lamar 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!
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