NATCHITOCHES – Mackenzie Neely and Caiti O'Connell combined for 24 kills on Thursday night as the Northwestern State volleyball team matched up against Central Arkansas but their effort fell short as the Lady Demons fell 3-2 in a five-set heartbreaker.
 
The 25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 23-25, 8-15 loss dropped NSU to 11-6 overall and 3-2 in the Southland Conference while Central Arkansas improved to 15-1, 4-1.
 
“I don't know that we had our team prepared well enough for this match,” said NSU co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. “I thought they did a really good job and I don't think we played very aggressively. We tried to make some adjustments throughout but it was difficult because they are a very good team”
 
UCA's Taylor Hammonds was a key player for the Sugar Bears, recording a game-high 16 kills. Jessica Hays, Heather Schnars and Alicia Dittrich also helped set the pace for Central Arkansas, killing 15 balls apiece.
 
NSU's Neely landed a team-high13 kills while also registering three blocks. O'Connell also killed in double-figures with 11.
 
Glynna Johnson was very efficient for the Lady Demons, managing eight kills and eight blocks.
 
Keelie Arneson tied her season-high record for digs with 29 while Kelly Jimenez chipped in 17.
 
“Our blocking was very good at times,” said Hernesman. “A lot of the momentum shifts that we were able to achieve were due to blocking and I thought we passed the ball fairly well. We just needed to be a little better offensively.”
 
UCA came out on fire, scoring the first four points of the match. The Lady Demons returned the heat with a 4-0 run of their own, tying the set up at four early on.
 
The game was a back and forth battle from that point with nine ties and three lead changes. A UCA service error sparked another 4-0 for NSU, putting the score at 20-16. The Lady Demons maintained their lead for the rest of the set, winning 25-22.
 
The second set was just as competitive, tallying seven ties and four lead changes. Two 4-0 runs in the second half of the set gave the Sugar Bears their final lead and put the score at 22-16. UCA held on and won the game 25-21.
 
The Lady Demons came out looking great in the third set, taking a five point lead at the 7-2 mark. Central Arkansas attempted to fight back but NSU led throughout the set. Northwestern State won the third 25-21.
 
While NSU grabbed the first two points of the fourth set, UCA quickly took control after a 5-0 run gave them a 5-2 lead. The Lady Demons managed to tie it up at 16 and 17 but could not gain the lead. The Sugar Bears took the fourth set 25-23.
 
Central Arkansas commanded the fifth set after taking the lead at the 3-2 mark. A 4-1 streak strengthened UCA's lead to 10-5 and NSU could not fight their way back, dropping the set 15-8.
 
“You learn something from every match whether you win or lose,” said Hernesman. “For us I think we need to become more consistent by keeping our focus. We had a great week last week but the most important match is the next one which is what we will keep in mind for Oral Roberts on Saturday.”
 
The Lady Demons host Southland Conference newcomer Oral Roberts on Saturday afternoon. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.