NEW ORLEANS – The LSU New Orleans Privateers volleyball team hit .452 in the third set as they won 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-12) over the Xavier Gold Nuggets in an exhibition match on Saturday at the Human Performance Center.
 
The Privateers raced out to a third set lead of 7-0 behind a block and a kill from Nyakuak Lual, which helped set the tone. Ava Frerman also had a kill in that stretch and Mariana Franco had a service ace.
 
LSU New Orleans eventually extended their lead to double figures when Frerman, who led the squad on the day with 10 kills, earned a point to give the Privateers a 17-7 advantage. The Privateers finished the match in style when Ryan Williams and Ayen Nyuar combined on a block. The home side had nine total rejections on the afternoon.
 
All 18 student-athletes on the Privateers roster played in what was the first look for fans at the 2026 roster. Mia Lopez was in the libero jersey in set one. Peyton Cole handled those duties in the second set and Vladana Ristic was the libero in the third set. Xavier did not have an attack percentage over .118 in any set on the day.
 
Ania Anderson started the second set and was second on the team in kills, racking up all six of them in that set. The Privateers had a 16-10 lead at one point but Xavier rallied to tie the score at 22-22.
 
LSU New Orleans turned the rally away though when Anderson and Karina Barzanova had kills on back-to-back rallies. The Privateers finished the set two rallies later on a Gold Nuggets attack error.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
The Privateers had 37 assists mostly spread among their primary setters. Defne Eciroglu had 12 assists. Franco and Rylie Hallman each had 10 on the day. Laura Piva served up three of the Privateers' six aces. Frerman led the way in digs for the Privateers as well with seven. Alana Pierce was in on four blocks (two solo, two assist). Barzanova and Armie Hall combined for eight kills on 15 attempts.
 
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Dillard in another exhibition on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 12 p.m.
 
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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersVB on X, @PrivateersVB on Instagram, like /PrivateersVB on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.