Box Score CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Double-digit kills from Ashley Elrod and Mackenzie Neely gave the No.2 Northwestern State volleyball team their second-ever Southland Conference tournament win in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17) shutout over No. 7 McNeese State Friday morning at Dugan Wellness Center.

The Lady Demons (20-11) continue on in single-elimination tournament play and will face the winner of the No. 3 Oral Roberts vs. No. 6 Houston Baptist match on Saturday at 11:00. The win for NSU marks the first conference tournament win for the program since the 2007 season and of the Hernesman era. The Cowgirls end their season with the loss and a 17-16 overall record.

"I thought the difference in the match was our out-of-system play. We get real quality second contacts and our hitters were making smart decisions," said fourth year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. "Our serving was on today and created a bunch of chaos for McNeese."

Northwestern State began the match trailing McNeese by two before going on a match-high eight-point run. Both teams traded points throughout the set as the Lady Demons tacked on two three-point runs to seal the first set win.

Set two was more of a battle as the teams put marks on the board all throughout the game. The Cowgirls tied the score three times before allowing NSU to go on a six point run for a 14-6 lead. A few notches in the board later and the Lady Demons knocked down five in a row, this time for a 20-11 lead. Both teams were able to put four more on the board, giving the Lady Demons the 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Game three showed a similar script to its predecessor with the game tying four times before the Lady Demons scored six in a row for a 16-10 lead. Two three-point runs within minutes of each other gave the Lady Demons the 23-15 edge, followed by two attack errors from McNeese for the overall victory for NSU.

"We just did a better job of solving the chaos than they did today," said Hernesman. "That just comes with experience, and I feel as though that showed against a McNeese team that has a good amount of talent and a bright future. 

Freshman of the Year Elrod and Neely notched 11 kills each, while Elrod also dug up 15 McNeese attacks for her 13^th double-double of the season. Caiti O'Connell sat just behind with nine kills, while Glynna Johnson knocked down seven. G. Johnson led the from middle with five total blocks, followed by Neely with four.

Emily Johnson dished out 26 assists, five digs and two service aces. Southland Libero of the Year Keelie Arneson dug up 19 Cowgirl attacks as first team All-Conference repeat selection Stacey DiFrancesco dug up 10 digs and notched five kills.

A win tomorrow from Northwestern State would mark the first semifinal round victory in program history.