HOUSTON - In three tightly contested sets, HBU was able to hold off New Orleans for a sweep, 3-0 (25-23, 29-27, 25-20), in Southland Conference volleyball Saturday afternoon at Sharp Gym.
Junior outside hitter
Mikayla Vivens recorded her fifth-straight double-double with 14 kills, 10 digs and two blocks, while sophomore outside hitter
Kelly Colwell had eight kills, 10 digs and two blocks for the Huskies (10-9, 2-2 SLC). Junior middle blocker
Megan Patillo added seven kills, three blocks and both of her aces came over the last five points of the match. Junior setter
Morgan Dewyer dished out 34 assists, with four kills, five digs and two blocks. Junior right side
Ashtyn Richey had five kills and two blocks and sophomore middle blocker
Ebonie Ballesteros had three kills and six blocks. Senior defensive specialist
Camie Copeland chipped in with eight digs and senior libero
Hannah Lewis had seven.
Ehize Omoghibo led the Privateers (9-9, 2-2) with 11 kills, while Rhyan Rand had 10 kills and seven digs. Brianna Vega added seven kills and five digs. Lucie Pokorna had 32 assists, three kills and four digs. Andrea Nava came up with 15 digs.
The Huskies hit .267 for the match, while holding the Privateers to .139. HBU made a difference at the net, outblocking UNO, 9.0-3.0, and at the service line, with four aces to UNO's one.
The first set was tied, 19-19, but HBU scored three-straight points. UNO answered with three-straight points of its own to tie the set back up, 23-23. Richey got the Huskies to set point with a kill, then Colwell put it away for a 25-23 decision.
UNO led 23-21 in the second, but an attack error by the Privateers and a solo block by Patillo tied the set. UNO went up 27-26 on a kill by Omoghibo, but Vivens tied it with a kill and a ball handling error by Pokorna put the Huskies at set point. Colwell once again closed out the set with a kill for a 29-27 victory.
The third set was tied 20-20, but a kill by Vivens gave the Huskies the lead and sent Patillo back to serve. Patillo fired off back-to-back aces, then a block by Ballesteros and Dewyer brought up match point and Dewyer put away the match to finish off a five-point run for a 25-20 win.
HBU returns to action when it faces Sam Houston State Thursday in Huntsville, followed by McNeese Saturday in Lake Charles, La.
