Box Score

NATCHITOCHES – Caiti O'Connell and Emily Sweet were the leaders for the Northwestern State volleyball team as they overcame Lamar 3-1 on Thursday evening in Prather Coliseum.
 
The 24-26, 25-19, 25-15, 25-18 victory bumps the Lady Demons up to 15-8 overall and 7-4 in Southland Conference play. The Lady Cardinals fall to 9-16, 1-10.

"We came out flat in the first and that was tough for us," said NSU co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. "It was good to see us rebound in the second."
 
O'Connell landed a game-high 17 kills and hit for an impressive .367. Stacey DiFrancesco was also in double figures for kills, collecting 11.

"Caiti was player of the game by a lot, " said Hernesman. "She definitely carried us tonight and she also played well on Saturday. It's like she has new life in her arm."
 
Sweet blocked six attacks while also putting up three aces and 40 assists.
 
"There are so many different ways that Sweet can impact the game for us because she is such a good volleyball player," said Hernesman. "She's a smart blocker and her serving was great tonight."

Keelie Arneson led the team in digs with 11.
 
The Lady Demons came out looking good in the first set as they ran out to a 6-2 lead. Lamar fought back, tying the game up at 8-8.
 
The rest of the set was competitive with 10 ties and 11 lead changes. The Lady Cardinals took the first set 26-24.
 
The second set was a battle early on with seven ties before the eight point mark. An O'Connell kill sparked an NSU 4-0 streak, giving the Lady Demons an 11-7 advantage.
 
The Lady Cardinals answered with a 3-0 run of their own, knotting the game up at 13. NSU pulled away with another 4-0 run. The Lady Demons won the second 25-19.
 
NSU dominated in the third set, never trailing and tying only once. Lamar was able to keep close until another O'Connell kill led to an 8-0 run for NSU. The Lady Demons maintained their momentum, winning the set 25-15.
 
The final set was another back and forth competition. NSU took its' first lead of the game after a Lamar attack error at the 3-2 point. The lead would change six more times throughout the set. A series of kills led to a 7-0 streak which closed out the set at the Lady Demons won 25-18.

"Serve and serve receive are what it comes down to for us," said Hernesman. "That is kind of where we lost it in the first set. We just have to make sure we handle that first contact, be consistent and keep our offense running three options. When we can do that I really think our middles are going to score and I love our pin hitters right now."
 
The Lady Demons host McNeese State on Saturday afternoon. First serve is set for two o'clock in Prather Coliseum.