CARROLLTON, Ga. – The LSU New Orleans Privateers opened with a 20-kill set but fell just on the short end of the match 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24) to the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs on Saturday at the UWG Classic.
The fourth set saw an intense battle as it was throughout the entire afternoon. Neither team led by more than three points at any juncture of the set.
Derin Nur Aydin provided two critical service aces to put the Privateers ahead 22-21 in the set.
A kill from
Ania Anderson put LSU New Orleans on the brink of forcing a fifth set when the Privateers went ahead 24-23. Gardner-Webb saved the set point though and went on to win the next two points, the last of which came on a block by Parker LaFontaine.
The Privateers came out the aggressor early and it resulted in a .462 attack percentage in the opening set. LSU New Orleans grabbed the lead for good in the opening set on a kill by
Laura Piva which made the score 22-21. The Privateers closed out the first set by scoring on three of the next four rallies.
LSU New Orleans had 20 kills in the opening set on 39 attempts with just two attack errors. It was the first time the Privateers reached 20 kills in a set since August of 2024 in a win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Gardner-Webb responded with a 9-3 run to start the second set. Though the Privateers threatened to close the gap on a couple of different occasions, the Bulldogs had an answer. The Privateers saved two set point opportunities, but Gardner-Webb converted on the third try from Sarina Galyean to level the match at 1-1.
The third set saw the Bulldogs gain an early advantage at 12-6 behind three kills from Galyean and two from Emma Kerwin. From that point, the Privateers got as close as within three points on two different occasions during the rest of the set.
Gardner-Webb hit .308 during the third set while the Privateers were limited to a .167 attack percentage. The Bulldogs also had four more kills than LSU New Orleans.
Kiera Vazquez had 15 kills and 13 digs for the Bulldogs. Kerwin finished with 14 kills and Caroline Franklin added 12 kills.
INSIDE THE BOX
Armie Hall led the Privateers' attack with 15 kills and also had five blocks. Piva added 10 kills and Anderson finished with nine kills. The Privateers had their season-high in blocks with 11 total.
Derin Nur Aydin and
Nyakuak Lual each had four total blocks.
Mia Lopez finished the match with 21 digs and had 56 total digs for the tournament.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will host the Pelican Invitational starting next Thursday, Sept. 17 when they square off against Idaho.
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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