NACOGDOCHES, Texas—McNeese volleyball struggled at crucial times here tonight in a 3-1 (25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16) Southland Conference loss against Stephen F. Austin, the league's top hitting team.
 
Once again sophomores Keegan Nelms and Katelyn Elliott led the Cowgirls (14-11, 5-5 SLC) in kills with 13 and 10, respectively. Nelms picked up her ninth double-double of the season with a match high 21 digs, her third most of the season. Elliott ended the match with a .310 hitting percent while Ebony Lewis produced a team best .429 hitting percent. Adison Giambrone also recorded a double-double for her 10 of the season with 26 assists and 14 digs. Freshman Caitlin Sharrock came off the bench to dish out a season high 10 assists. Angela McGownd and Madison Fontenot also picked up double figure digs. McGownd was credited with 16 and Fontenot with 13. Shanna Spree led McNeese at the net with five block assists.
 
"Credit SFA, they had a great homecoming atmosphere tonight with a lot of fans and a lot of spirit," said head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald. "It's unfortunate that we struggled in critical times defending and receiving. Our offense wasn't as balanced as it normally is and its disappointing. SFA is a quality opponent and we have to have a short memory and get ready for Lamar Saturday." Fitzgerald said.
 
SFA (20-5, 8-1 SLC) who became only the fourth Division I program to win 20 matches this season, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match with a first set win that saw the Ladyjacks pick up five blocks and hit .371.
 
In the second set, back-to-back blocks by McNeese tied the set at 11 apiece but the Ladyjacks' offense put them up 20-15. The Cowgirls would score three straight to cut the lead to 20-18 but eventually dropped the match 25-22.
 
With their back to the wall, McNeese made adjustments and responded with a third set 25-21 win. The Cowgirls collected a single set high 20 kills and a .370 hitting percent to claim the set to extend the match.
 
A service ace by Fontenot tied the set at 18 all then a kill by Rae Myers gave McNeese a 20-19 lead. The Cowgirls would outscore SFA 5-2 to the rest of the way to take the set. Elliott picked up six of her 10 kills in the third set.
 
SFA took a 4-2 lead in the fourth set with three of their points coming off three McNeese service aces. The Cowgirls settled down and eventually tied the set at nine all but allowed SFA to go on a 6-0 run to take a 15-9 lead. McNeese went on a 3-0 run to cut the lead to 16-13 but another SFA run was too much for the Cowgirls as they dropped the fourth set and the match.
 
SFA ended the match with a .235 hitting percent and had four players record 10 or more kills with Haley Coleman picking up a match high 14. Coleman and Lexus Cain led SFA with 19 digs while Danae Daron picked up six blocks and Xariah Williams had five.
McNeese will travel to Lamar on Saturday for a 1 p.m. match.