NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers and East Texas A&M Lions combined for 167 digs in a three-set battle, but the Lions prevailed in each set for a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23) decision on Thursday night at the Human Performance Center.
Both teams averaged over 30 digs per set through the first two and the Privateers wound up with 84 digs to the Lions' 83. The 84 digs by the Privateers were six shy of tying a school record for most digs in a three-set match, which was set in 1996 against UAB.
The main difference on the night was the block. The Lions had 11 blocks at the net while the Privateers had five rejections.
In the first set, both teams extended rallies through strong back row play throughout. The Privateers got to a 23-22 lead, but East Texas A&M responded with three straight points. A Peyton Roper kill was followed soon after by the Lions' seventh block of the set, a solo rejection from Brooke Box that filed away the opening set for East Texas A&M.
New Orleans jumped out to an early 6-3 lead in the second set, but the Lions scored five consecutive points in response to surge ahead. New Orleans rallied to tie the score twice, with the last occasion coming at 14-14. From there, the Lions went on an 8-3 spurt that gave them the separation needed to take the second set.
East Texas A&M had 19 kills in what turned out to be the final set and the best hitting percentage in any set by either side on the night at .250. The Lions used that to propel them to a 24-20 lead.
However, New Orleans saved the first three attempts at match point behind the serve of
Alessandra Meoni who had an ace and two kills. The Lions regrouped to clinch the match when Nevaeh Smith scored a kill to give the Lions the victory that moved their conference record to 2-3.
Gracie Campbell had 16 kills and 24 digs, which led the team. Jade Washington added 19 digs. Smith had six total blocks while Brooke Box and MJ Klaumann each contributed five total blocks.
INSIDE THE BOX
Meoni had 13 kills and 25 digs to lead the Privateers.
Vanae Sapp had seven kills and 19 digs while
Ania Anderson contributed seven kills.
Courtney Roundtree finished with three total blocks.
Defne Eciroglu had 20 assists and
Peyton Cole added 13 digs.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host Northwestern State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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