LAKE CHARLES—The McNeese volleyball team picked up an important 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 26-24) Southland Conference victory over Southeastern La. Saturday on senior day that could have postseason tournament implications come tournament time in three weeks.
 
McNeese (14-14, 4-8 SLC) trailed early in the first two sets but once the Cowgirls took the lead they never let it slip away. McNeese took the first set 25-16 and the second set 25-15.
 
After intermission, Southeastern La. jumped out to a 4-2 third set lead and looked like they would take the set, leading 21-15.  McNeese used solid defense and Southeastern La. errors to come back to tie the set at 22 all. Kills by Malina Sanchez and Carly DeMarque gave McNeese a 24-22 lead.  SLU fought off two set points to even the set at 24 all. Another kill by Demarque gave McNeese a 25-24 lead and a kill by Rebecca Korenek gave the Cowgirls the third set win and the overall match victory.
 
Senior Rachel Cagnina, who was one of three seniors honored prior to the match along home along with Korenek, led the Cowgirls with 10 kills apiece.  Sanchez, who leads the conference in service aces, was deadly from behind the line today, picked up seven service aces to give her 60 on the season.  Sanchez, Kimberlyn Patterson and Adison Giambrone were solid on the back line with all three picking up 11 digs apiece.  Setter Kelly Graham dished out 42 assists on 44 of the Cowgirls' kills.
 
Sarah Friedman's 12 kills led Southeastern La. and Tiffany Thomas ended the match with four blocks.
 
McNeese will play its final four matches on the road beginning with matches at Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word next weekend. McNeese will conclude the regular season with matches at New Orleans (Nov. 11) and Nicholls (Nov. 15).
 
The Southland Conference Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 21-23 with the top eight teams advancing.  The tournament will be held in Natchitoches.