NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State volleyball team battled back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Lamar in five sets (25-12, 21-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-11) on Thursday night from Prather Coliseum, in the process improving to 5-0 on its home court.

Like it has done so many times this season, the senior-laden NSU (10-13, 7-3 Southland Conference) program utilized a few key rallies to pull out a win – this time, in thrilling fashion over the Lady Cardinals (3-17, 3-5 SLC). After climbing back to knot the match at two, the Lady Demons fell behind 8-6 at the fifth set switch.

"We're never really nervous," fifth-year co-head coach Hugh Hernesman said. "In crucial moments, we have to go back to our training. That was one of the things we needed to do. I told them there was a lot of game left. It seems like a short game but 10 points in a 15 point game is really difficult to score when you're fatigued and there's a little bit of pressure and you're on the road. We told them to be patient, make small point runs and that's kind of what we did."

NSU utilized a serving run by senior Stacey DiFrancesco along with tremendous performances from senior Mackenzie Neely and redshirt junior Caiti O'Connell down the stretch to claim its fourth consecutive match win over Lamar dating back to 2012.

"Somehow, it might not always be pretty but we find ways," Hernesman said. "It wasn't looking good after the third set. In the fourth set we came out with a little more determination. Caiti O'Connell was on fire. She saved us in the fourth. She was really good in the fourth and fifth. I thought Mackenzie closed it out with some crucial kills, big plays and a couple blocks."

Another key contributor in the win was freshman Aubrey Davis who was a game-time decision and sat the first three sets after spraining her ankle in practice on Wednesday.

"She didn't come up with big kill numbers but she kept the ball in play, she passed it very well and she defended very well," Hernesman said. "She had a big solo block on the right side at the very end that was crucial in a point scoring run for us. That's not easy coming off the bench. She sat for an hour and fifteen minutes. For her to be able to do that and for us to not skip a beat was one of the keys to the match."

O'Connell led the way with 15 kills followed by Neely's 11 and DiFrancesco's eight. Senior setter Emily Johnson finished with 21 assists and sophomore Natalie Jaeger contributed 19. Defensively, sophomore libero Bailey Martin tallied 26 digs while Neely and junior Glynna Johnson each offered up two total blocks.

"I thought our experience level allowed us to win crucial points when it really mattered," Hernesman said. "I believe in this team. We were down 2-1; the other day we're down 19-16 and come back; it's something I've seen over and over from this team in the last couple of years. Just when you think you're at that point with this team where you say, 'are we really going to get it done?' we figure out a way somehow."

NSU will look to find a way once again on Saturday at 2 o'clock when the Lady Demons welcome Sam Houston State to Prather Coliseum for the second of three straight home matches.