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LUBBOCK, Tex. – Caiti O'Connell was named to the Texas Tech Invitational all-tournament team after recording a game-high 19 kills in Northwestern State's 3-1 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss put the Lady Demons' record at 2-4 for the season while the Red Raiders are 7-0 on the season.
 
Sophomore Mackenzie Neely recorded 12 kills and Kelly Jimenez tacked on another 11.
 
“I think we played at a very high level today,” said co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. “Caiti had another tremendous match and Mackenzie was very good as well.”
 
In the first set, the Lady Demons stayed close until the 16-4 mark when a kill by TTU's Breeann David sparked a 9-0 run that led the Red Raiders to their 25-14 win.
 
NSU had their only win over TTU in the second set. The Lady Demons trailed at first but took the lead at the 3-2 mark after a kill by O'Connell.
 
Northwestern State fell behind again for two points until a Texas Tech attack error gave them the lead again. NSU did not trail again, winning the set 25-22.
 
The third set was back and forth at the start until a serving ace gave TTU the lead at the 7-6 mark. The Lady Demons managed to stay close the rest of the set but never took the lead again, falling 25-21.
 
NSU did not trail in the fourth set until the 12-11 mark but fell behind and did not lead again, dropping the set 25-16.
 
 “We did not take advantage of all of our opportunities but I think we are learning that there is not as much room for error against high level teams like TTU,” said Hernesman.
 
The Lady Demons travel to Texas Arlington next weekend to compete in the UTA Hilton Invitational.