NEW ORLEANS – The LSU New Orleans Privateers had 27 digs in the first set and pushed the Southeastern Lions to extra rallies in the fourth set, but it was Southeastern who scored the win 3-1 (17-25, 25-18, 25-14, 28-26) on Thursday night at the Human Performance Center.
LSU New Orleans led 22-19, but two Kyra McKelvey kills helped get the set to level terms. Southeastern had a first look at match point at 24-23, but the Privateers came up with a massive block from
Alana Pierce and
Laura Piva that pushed the set to extra rallies.
The Privateers had two looks at set point in extra rallies, but the Lions responded in each of them. Then Southeastern got ahead on an attack error by the Privateers. They converted for the match at the second time of asking when Keira Beverly scored a kill, her eighth of the night to give Southeastern the win as they kept pace in the race for first in the Southland Conference.
Vladana Ristic soared over 1,000 career digs as she had 23 to lead the team on the night.
Defne Eciroglu also got within range of 2,000 career assists with 21 on the evening. Eciroglu needs six more to achieve that mark.
LSU New Orleans had just two attack errors in an efficient first set as they extended their lead through the media timeout and had an advantage as large as eight points. Three different Privateers had kills over their last five points in what was a balanced attack in the opening set.
Southeastern took the second set behind a 13-6 run at the outset. The rest of the set was even on the scoreboard, but the Privateers could not commence a run as the Lions' lead was never smaller than four points for the remainder of the set.
The Lions had their best set in the third when they had 16 kills to the Privateers' seven. That was the only set that did not see a tie or lead change throughout.
McKelvey led the Lions' attack with 17 kills on the night. Melina Gonzalez had 13 kills and 24 digs. Abigail Bailey had 11 kills and Lindsey Wickersham added 18 digs. Ashley Richardson finished with 40 assists.
INSIDE THE BOX
Ryan Williams and
Armie Hall each had 14 kills to lead the offense.
Ava Frerman also reached double figures with 10 kills.
Peyton Cole had 13 digs and
Alana Pierce finished with five total blocks.
Mariana Franco finished with 26 assists and eight digs.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Lamar on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
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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