NATCHITOCHES—Keegan Nelms and Alexis Lambert led McNeese volleyball with 13 and 11 kills, respectively in a 3-1 (22-5, 14-25, 25-23, 19-25) Southland Conference loss at Northwestern State Saturday morning.
 
Northwestern State (15-7, 7-1 SLC) took a 2-0 overall match lead by taking in the first two sets. McNeese (8-12, 1-7 SLC) avoided a straight set loss by taking the third set 25-23.
 
With the Cowgirls leading 23-22, a NW State attack error gave the Cowgirls a 24-22 lead then a Cowgirls service error put the score at 24-23. Lambert's kill from a McGownd assist gave McNeese the third set win.
 
The fourth set was back and forth until the Lady Demons went on a 5-0 run after trailing 16-15 to take a 20-16 lead. NW State would go on to outscore McNeese 5-3 the rest of the way to take the set and the overall match.
 
McGownd led the Cowgirl defense with 13 digs while Nelms completed her double double with 10 digs.
 
Lauren Burt and Ajani Hodges led McNeese with four blocks apiece while Lambert was credited with three.
 
McNeese will return home on Tuesday to host Lamar at 6:30 p.m.