NEW ORLEANS—It wasn't an easy victory by any means but the McNeese volleyball team outlasted New Orleans 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 15-25, 25-22) here Tuesday night to pick up its first Southland Conference victory of the season.
 
McNeese (5-15, 1-4 SLC) had to contend with a good serving and blocking UNO team (3-14, 0-4). UNO ended the match with 10 service aces and 15 blocks.
 
"This was a great team win against a quality opponent who put a lot of pressure on us with their serving and blocking," said head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald.
 
McNeese took a 2-0 lead after winning the first two sets but after intermission, UNO avoided a straight set loss by winning the third set 25-15. McNeese bounced back in the fourth set behind senior outside hitter Rebecca Korenek to win the fourth set 25-22.
 
"We had to cover a lot of balls and attack really well out of system to beat them. It was nice to see Becca (Korenek) back out there and pretty close to 100 percent, she really contributed and came up big in the fourth set.
 
Korenek picked up four kills in the fourth set including the kill that clinched the match. She ended the math with a match high 16 kills and four blocks and a .285 hitting percent.
 
Bridget Justis and Alexandra Aguilera both recorded double digit digs with 13 and 10, respectively.
 
As a team, McNeese totaled 17 blocks and was led by freshman Haley Schneider who had five. Schneider also led the Cowgirls with three service aces.
 
Jordan Yauch led the Privateers with 13 kills and Rondolyn Bryant added 11. Yauch also had four service aces.
 
McNeese will return home Thursday night to host Abilene Christian in a 7 p.m. match at Memorial Gym.