Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WACO, Texas - Caiti O'Connell put up a season-best 14 kills in Northwestern State volleyball's Friday afternoon match against the host Bears at the Baylor Invitational, but it would not be enough as the Bears came away with the 3-1 (19-25, 17-25, 25-21, 23-25) win, followed by a 3-0 (20-25, 21-25, 16-25) fall to Colorado Friday evening at the Ferrell Center.
 
The Lady Demons fall to 1-8 overall as Baylor and Colorado improve to 3-6 and 7-1, respectively.
 
"We had mixed emotions today," said fourth year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman. "Some of them were encouraged because we had some very good moments and stretches against two very good teams, but frustrated that we haven't been able to be more consistent." 
 
Despite trailing by two sets, NSU put up its best performances in the third and fourth set against Baylor. The Lady Demons held steady at six-all before taking the lead on the set, holding the Bears off until they evened the score again at 20. NSU then went on a four-point run to claim the eventual win.
 
The Lady Demons held onto momentum as they entered the fourth set, holding a lead over Baylor until the score came even at 22. The Bears would then go on a three-point run to come away with the overall victory.  
 
The teams battled through the first set, nearly neck-and-neck until Baylor pulled away with a three-point run to take a 19-15 lead, leaving the Lady Demons trailing for the remainder of the set.
 
Baylor took total control of the second set, holding NSU to a minimal 17 points. The Bears led by 10 at one point to keep the Lady Demons at an arm's length.
 
"We had some pretty quality play out of our middles against Baylor and once we got rolling our defense was really tough," said Hernesman. "Caiti O'Connell is continuing to be a tremendous point scorer for us in a variety of roles. Keelie Arneson, once she got going against Baylor in the 3rd set, was very impressive the rest of that match and then into the Colorado match."
 
Freshman Ashley Elrod recorded her first-ever double-double, knocking down 10 kills and digging up 11 Baylor attacks. Sophomore middle blocker Amanda Kunz put up a career-best .714 attack percentage as she laid down five-of-seven kills and put up four blocks.
 
Setter's Emily Johnson and Natalie Jaeger aided with 21 assists each while libero Keelie Arneson dug up 18 attacks.
 
Colorado maintained a steady lead over NSU throughout the entire first and third sets, and pulled out a come-from-behind win in the second. The Lady Demons jumped out to a 13-9 lead before the Buffs slowly battled back to take the win.
 
O'Connell led NSU once again with 12 kills and a .500 attack percentage. Johnson put up 13 assists and Arneson dug up 18 Colorado attacks.
 
"We're still dealing with some injuries to some key players, but in those situations, we just need to be better as one unit," said Hernesman.
 
NSU will take on Appalachian State at three o'clock Saturday afternoon as it wraps up a 10-game road stint. The Lady Demons host Southern Mississippi in their home debut on Tuesday at 7:00 at Prather Coliseum.