MACOMB, Ill.—McNeese volleyball bounced back from Friday's losses with a five set (25-17, 26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 15-13) win over host Western Illinois here Saturday at the Buffalo Wild Wings Invitational to conclude tournament play. The win improves the Cowgirls' record to 8-6 heading into Southland Conference action next week.
 
"We were real fortunate to get a win up her this weekend against a good Western Illinois team," said head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald. "After the first set, they passed incredibly well and we struggled very hard to score on serve. It's always a good opportunity to win in five, so today made us tougher, but eager to get back to the gym and really hammer out some stuff on defense and in the serve-pass game."
 
Saturday saw another match with several Cowgirls producing both career and season high's. Sophomore Keegan Nelms led four McNeese players in kills with a season high 17. Junior Ebony Lewis ended the match with a career high 16, sophomore Katelyn Elliot also tallied a season high with 14 and Shanna Spree put down 14 kills as well. Spree tied her career high with seven blocks. Setters Adison Giambrone and Alexandra Aguilera both picked up over 30 assists apiece. Aguilera led the Cowgirls with a season high 34 while Giambrone reached her career high with 32.
 
Five players recorded double figure digs and were led by libero Angela McGownd's match high 24. McGownd was named to the all-tournament team after ending the weekend with 81 digs for an average of 5.79 per set.
 
McNeese will open Southland Conference play on Tuesday, Sept. 19 against Nicholls and Houston Baptist on Thursday, Sept. 21. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.