NEW ORLEANS – The LSU New Orleans Privateers earned their first ever win over a Big West school as they defeated the Cal State Fullerton Titans 3-1 (25-22, 12-25, 25-22, 25-22) on Friday night at the Human Performance Center.
The Privateers were previously 0-6 in matches against Big West opponents before their breakthrough which featured resilient performances that built upon a strong start to the match.
The Privateers got out to a 10-4 lead in what turned out to be the deciding set. Though Cal State Fullerton continued to threaten to rally back, the Privateers had an answer in the most crucial points.
A three-point stretch that went the way of the Privateers helped build their fourth set lead to 22-17. From there,
Ryan Williams helped the home side finish out their breakthrough victory with kills in two of the last three rallies.
LSU New Orleans came out firing with the first five points of the opening set. The Privateers' attack helped build up a 21-11 lead at one point in the first set, but the home squad had to hold off a late Titans charge.
Cal State Fullerton went on a 5-1 run to cut the Privateer lead to 23-20 but kills by
Armie Hall and
Laura Piva helped finish out the set in the Privateers' favor.
After Cal State Fullerton took the second set in demonstrative fashion, the Privateers had to fend off the Titans after building early leads in the next two sets and they accomplished it through gritty defense and a collective team effort that saw five players reach at least five kills.
LSU New Orleans raced to an 11-5 lead early in the third set and though the Titans cut the lead back down to two points on several different occasions, the Privateers had a response on every occasion.
Hall, Williams and
Elani Ratchkovska each had a kill down the stretch as the Privateers held off Cal State Fullerton to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Sofia Shine had 17 kills to lead the Titans' offense. Hannah Hass and Marisa Nakata each had 11 kills and Parys Taylor added 10 kills.
INSIDE THE BOX
Rylie Hallman finished with 22 assists and 11 digs for her second double-double of the weekend. Hall finished with a team-high 10 kills. Williams and
Ania Anderson each had seven kills while
Nyakuak Lual finished with five kills and four total blocks.
Mia Lopez had 18 digs and
Derin Nur Aydin had four total blocks.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will finish the Pelican Invitational against Florida A&M on Saturday at 2 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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