THIBODAUX, La. – The LSU New Orleans Privateers were relentless throughout the night and showed unwavering defense as they defeated Nicholls 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-21) on Thursday night at Stopher Gym.
The Privateers were the aggressor early and had the cleaner opening set. LSU New Orleans had 22 digs in the set, four service aces and six fewer attack errors than the Colonels. The Privateers had a run started when
Nyakuak Lual had aces on back-to-back rallies to give the Privateers a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the set.
The second set saw the Privateers steadily increase their lead throughout. They only trailed after the opening point when Nicholls had a tandem block. From there, the Privateers got ahead and kept Nicholls in the rearview mirror.
At 17-14, LSU New Orleans finished the set with a flourish as they went on an 8-3 spurt to close it out. Six different players scored points in that stretch. The Privateers had a kill each from
Olivia Bartrina,
Armie Hall and
Ryan Williams.
Rylie Hallman and
Vladana Ristic each had a service ace.
Alana Pierce joined Hall on a tandem block as well to help guide the Privateers to a 2-0 lead in the match.
LSU New Orleans raced out to a quick 5-1 advantage, which was started up by Hall who had three kills in that span. Nicholls battled back to tie the score twice, but the Privateers had an answer each time.
Unrattled by a call that didn't go the Privateers way on a challenge, LSU New Orleans finished out the match in style. Up 22-21 at that point, the Privateers scored on the next three rallies through two kills by Hall and a Colonels attack error.
The Privateers averaged 20 digs per set in the victory and had an 8-2 advantage in the service ace department. LSU New Orleans held Nicholls to an .052 attack percentage, the lowest mark they held an opponent to this season.
INSIDE THE BOX
Hall had a team-high 11 kills on the night and was in on four of the team's five blocks.
Ryan Williams had eight kills and
Olivia Bartrina added eight kills and 10 digs. Ristic led the defense with 20 digs on the evening.
Rylie Hallman had 18 assists and five digs. Pierce added four total blocks.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will head to McNeese on Saturday for a 10 a.m. first serve.
SEASON TICKETS
Tickets for all home matches are available
here.
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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