Box Score

NATCHITOCHES – Caiti O'Connell recorded nine kills at a .417 hitting percentage to lead the Northwestern State volleyball team in their win over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday evening.
 
The win marks the fourth victory in a row for the Lady Demons (6-4).
 
Stacey DiFrancesco also put up good numbers for NSU with eight kills, eight digs and three service aces. Senior Nicole Hajka added seven kills to the offensive effort.
 
A major factor in the match was NSU's 17 service aces, four of which were made by sophomore Mackenzie Neely.
 
“I think the biggest factor was our service game,” said co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. “We had 17 aces and they had one, which is a very big discrepancy. Serve and serve receive are going to be the number one focus for most matches.
 
“Our right side attacking was out of this world. You look at Nicole who had seven kills hitting .417 and Mackenzie with three kills in just one set, hitting .600. That's almost a .500 average on the right side; you don't get those kinds of numbers unless you control the ball well.”
 
Setter Emily Sweet was also very effective, offering up 30 assists.
 
“Sweet ran a very good offense,” said Hernesman. “She locates the ball really well for our hitters and puts them in really good spots.”
 
The Lady Demons did not trail in any of the three sets, winning 25-11, 25-17, 25-14.
 
Northwestern State heads to Stephen F. Austin this Friday for the Lady Demons' first conference match of the season.