LAKE CHARLES— McNeese volleyball came up with big plays when it needed to here Thursday night in its 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-22) Southland Conference home opening win over Abilene Christian (4-9, 2-1 SLC) to improve to 8-7 overall and 2-1 in league play.
With the Cowgirls leading the overall match 2-0, McNeese trailed 12-8 early in the third set. Three straight kills by Allison Lippert tied the set at 18 apiece. The teams traded the next few points until a kill by Macee Krpec gave McNeese a 22-21 lead and one they wouldn't give up. A service ace by Caitlin Sharrock and a kill by Alexis Lambert increased the Cowgirl lead to 24-21. After a Cowgirl service error, the match ended in favor of the Cowgirls following an ACU hitting error.
"There was a lot to be happy about with tonight's performance," said head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald. "In general, we didn't get rattled, we played point for point, and when we need a block, a kill, or a great pass or serve- someone answered the call."
Krpec and Lambert answered the call when the Cowgirls needed a kill. Krpec led all players with a match high 14 kills and Lambert added 11. Krpec also ended the match with a .429 hitting percent, committing two errors in 28 attempts. Lippert ended her night with a .400 attack percent with nine kills in 15 attempts while Lambert hit .294.
"This is what we talked about this week and it was great to see us perform in such a manner. This was a great response from our road trip last weekend," said Fitzgerald.
Helping the Cowgirls to their first conference win of the season was solid defense behind Keegan Nelms' 14 digs and 12 by Angela McGownd coupled by a defensive effort at the net by Ajani Hodges, who was credited with four block assists.
Setting up for the kills on the night, were setters Kendall Kilchrist and Caitlin Sharrock. Kilchrist returned to the court after missing the last few matches to dish out 21 assists while Sharrock dished out 14.
McNeese also used the serve to pick up seven points on the night. Four service aces came from Lippert and three came from Sharrock.
McNeese will return to the H&HP Complex Saturday to host league leading Stephen F. Austin at 11:30 a.m.
