NEW ORLEANS – The LSU New Orleans Privateers fell into an early deficit and could not dig their way out as they lost 3-1 (25-11, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21) to the McNeese Cowgirls on Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
The Privateers conceded a 7-2 run at the outset and McNeese took advantage of early attack errors. LSU New Orleans committed 13 total errors between attacking and serving in the set as the Cowgirls established a 1-0 lead to start the day.
LSU New Orleans responded with a positive beginning to the second set. A run of four consecutive points vaulted the Privateers to an early 7-3 lead in the second set.
McNeese stayed within range, but the Privateers had an answer every time the Cowgirls threatened to move ahead. LSU New Orleans had the first two looks at set point, which they were unable to convert.
Armie Hall then took over with kills on back-to-back rallies to level the match at 1-1.
The third set began with both teams trading points as the Privateers tied the score at 12-12 through a kill from Hall. From that point, McNeese took the remainder of the set over with a 13-4 run to close it out.
A balanced attack by the Cowgirls saw five different Cowgirls register a kill in that stretch as the road team grabbed a 2-1 lead heading to the fourth set.
McNeese spurted ahead 10-5 early in the fourth set, but the Privateers looked poised to rally back. The cut the Cowgirls lead down to one point at 16-15 off a tandem block from
Derin Nur Aydin and
Ava Frerman. That was as close as the Privateers got for the remainder of the set. The Cowgirls scored on the next three rallies and that proved to be enough separation on the scoreboard.
The Cowgirls had four players reach double figures in kills led by Harmony Jackson who had 12. Gabbie Maldonado and Kayla Wilson each added 11 kills and Ava Henry notched 10. Sophia Tocmo recorded 19 digs to lead the back row.
INSIDE THE BOX
Hall registered 18 kills and hit .318 to lead the Privateer offense.
Laura Piva finished with eight kills and five digs. Frerman,
Nyakuak Lual and
Elani Ratchkovska each added six kills. Lual also had six total blocks.
Defne Eciroglu finished with 25 assists and six digs.
NEXT UP
The Privateers travel to Houston to face HCU on Thursday.
SEASON TICKETS
Tickets for all home matches are available
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ABOUT LSU NEW ORLEANS
In July of 2026 the University of New Orleans rejoined the LSU system and rebranded to "LSU New Orleans" bringing together two powerful brands - the purple and gold of LSU with the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans. The transition marks a return to the LSU family for the University - a place it called home from 1958-2011. Athletic teams will remain the Privateers and continue to compete in the Southland Conference.
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