LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese State volleyball bested Abilene Christian 3-1 for the second time in nine days to complete a season sweep of the Wildcats Thursday night at Memorial Gym. The Cowgirls lost the first set, 21-25, before rallying to win the next three by scores of 25-20, 26-24 and 25-23.
ACU led by as many as four (20-16) and was the first to reach match point in set three prior to the Cowgirls scoring the final three points, and in the final set, the Wildcats let slip a five-point advantage (16-11) as the home team finished on a 5-1 run. The Cowgirls also posted a four-point comeback in set two.
With the victory, McNeese's overall and conference records stand at 12-8 and 4-2. The Wildcats fell to 6-11 and 2-3 after winning their last two league contests vs. Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls.
The primary difference between the two sides appeared to be the attack. ACU posted a .122 hitting percentage (48-for-147 with 30 errors), while McNeese – with its two-setter system of Alexandra Aguilera (26 assists) and Adison Giambrone (24 assists) – hit 63 percentage points better at .185, going 54-for-162 with 24 errors. McNeese also became the first Southland team to outblock the Wildcats this season, 13-10, led by six rejections each from Shanna Spree and Allison Lippert.
Spree, who tallied the match-winning point, additionally led her side with 16.5 points, hitting .385 with 11 kills and an ace. Three of her blocks were of the solo variety, and she assisted on three others.
Keegan Nelms had a strong performance with 10 kills (.308) and 12 digs, and Ebony Lewis came through with 11 kills on only 19 attempts (.579).
Freshman
Katelyn Mueller was tops for ACU in points scored with 17.0 followed by classmate
Lorin McNeil with 15.0 and junior
Jacey Smith with a dozen. Smith and Mueller – each outside hitters – also combined for 25 digs, while McNeil had a hand in six blocks (two solo).
Setter
Kendall Bosse (43 assists) scored three of her seven points from the service area, and libero
Amanda Chapa dug out a team best 19 attacks. Senior
Corinne Grandcolas tied Bosse with three aces as the Wildcats finished with eight aces and three service errors.
The Wildcats return to action Friday with a 7 p.m. match at Nicholls. The match date was adjusted due to impending severe weather from Tropical Storm Nate, which is expected to hit the states between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
