NEW ORLEANS – The Northwestern State volleyball team will carry some momentum and a modicum of good karma as it begins a four-week, six-match road trip Thursday.
 
After snapping a five-match losing streak with a win against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, Northwestern State heads south for a 7 p.m. Southland Conference match against New Orleans on Thursday.
 
In addition to defeating rival SFA on Tuesday, NSU's Orange Out promotion raised $1,125 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
 
Both outcomes were needed ones. Northwestern State (4-17, 2-6) now carries the same confidence it expects UNO (11-9, 2-3) to bring into the matchup.
 
"New Orleans is having a great season relative to what they have had in the past in the conference," first-year head coach Sean Kiracofe said. "They're on a nice little roll. It's going to be difficult because you're on the road, and they're believing in what they're doing right now." 
 
New Orleans has won its last two Southland matches after dropping the first 37 since entering the conference in 2013.
 
Though NSU's struggles did not persist as long as the Privateers' malaise, the performance Tuesday against Stephen F. Austin was a welcome sight for Kiracofe and his staff.
 
NSU hit a season-high .330 against SFA with five players collecting double-figure attacks. Setter Natalie Jaeger posted a career-high 40 assists in the victory.
 
"It let us know that's us," senior middle blocker Glynna Johnson said. "That's how we wanted to play all year. Everything finally came together. It's a good start for the rest of the season."
 
Starting with Thursday's match, Northwestern State plays six of its final eight matches on the road.
 
NSU enters its second half of conference play 1.5 games out of the final spot in the Southland Conference Tournament. All eight of Northwestern State's remaining matches are against teams ahead of it in the conference standings.
 
"This weekend is a big weekend for us," Kiracofe said. "I think we can get some wins on the road if we play well. To start that at home is even better. We needed something to go our way. (The win against SFA) is going to be big for the rest of the season."
 
After facing the Privateers, Northwestern State continues its road swing with a 2 p.m. Sunday match at Southeastern Louisiana.