LAKE CHARLES- McNeese volleyball had Northwestern State on the ropes and let them get away in its Southland Conference opener, falling 3-2 in five sets (21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11).
 
After leading the overall match 2-1 with a first set 25-21 win and a 25-23 third set win, McNeese let a 15-12 fourth lead slip away as the Demons came back to take a 22-19 lead on three McNeese errors and a ball handling error.  The Cowgirls scored the next two points off NW State errors to cut the lead to 22-21 but McNeese scored only one more point in the set, dropping the set 25-22 and sending the match to a fifth and deciding set.
 
Northwestern State jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the fifth set before McNeese scored its first point of the set on a Demon error.  McNeese continued to fight its way back into the set but couldn't stop NW State's momentum, dropping the fifth set 15-11.
 
The loss drops McNeese to 9-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play.  NW State improves to 4-11 overall and 1-0 in the SLC.
 
The Cowgirls had three players record double figure kills with Rachel Cagnina putting down a match-high 17.  Malina Sanchez and Amber Fryer both ended up with 15 apiece.  Five Cowgirls picked up 10 or more digs with Kimberlyn Patterson leading McNeese with 24.  Sanchez and Adison Giambrone both had 21 and Kara Rockey and Kelly Graham were credited with 18.  Graham dished out a match-high 55 assists while Chrysta Stuart had a match-high eight blocks.
 
Mackenzie Neely's 16 kills led Northwestern State and Keelie Arneson was credited with a match-high 39 digs.
 
McNeese returns home Saturday to host Stephen F. Austin in a 2 p.m. Southland Conference match.