CARROLLTON, Ga. – The LSU New Orleans Privateers could not overcome 10 service errors as they were defeated 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) by the Mercer Bears on Friday morning at the UWG Classic.
LSU New Orleans looked to have an early measure in the third set as they vaulted to an 8-4 advantage through the first dozen rallies. Mercer quickly responded with an eight-point run of their own to surge ahead.
Though the Privateers were well within striking distance the remainder of the set, they could not get back on level terms as Mercer held for the 3-0 decision to begin the tournament.
The Privateers left themselves with too much to do in the first two sets. Mercer got out to a 16-8 lead before the Privateers started to commence a comeback attempt. LSU New Orleans sliced the deficit in half through three Bears attack errors and an
Armie Hall kill, but Mercer held off the run to take the first set 25-18.
In the second, the two teams were tied at 6-6 in the early stages. From there, Mercer scored on eight of the next 12 rallies to open up to an eight-point lead.
The Privateers saved the first four set point attempts off a
Mia Lopez service ace and a
Nyakuak Lual kill. After Mercer took a timeout, they converted the second set on the next rally from a Lara Matta kill.
Avery Wilks had 11 kills to lead the Bears offense while Matta finished with 10 kills to go along with 11 digs. The Bears came into the day with 59 service errors through their first five matches. On the day, they committed only three service errors.
INSIDE THE BOX
Hall led the offense for the Privateers with 10 kills and added three total blocks. Lopez racked up 19 digs as the Privateers held Mercer to a .142 attack percentage.
Laura Piva had eight kills along with five digs and Lual added seven kills. The Privateers had a 6-3 advantage in total blocks.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face West Georgia to close out the first day of the tournament with a 5 p.m. scheduled start.
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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