DENTON, Texas— Following a shaky first set loss, McNeese volleyball regrouped to open the 2021 season with a thrilling 3-2 (11-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 15-12) come from behind win over North Texas at the North Texas Invitational Friday morning. The Cowgirls (1-0) will conclude Friday's action with a 5 p.m. match against Grambling before facing South Dakota State at 11 a.m. Saturday morning.
 
"This is a great first win of the season against a really good North Texas team. I'm proud of this team this match," said McNeese head coach Kristee Porter.
 
Four freshmen (McKenzie Moore, Jaylin Gordon, Bailey Tillman, Aryn Johnson) made their collegiate debut in the opening set which probably contributed to the shaky start but once they settled down they were able to make huge contributions to the win. In all, seven newcomers saw action in the match.
 
"In the first set, you could tell half of our starters were playing in their first college match. Once the nerves settled down they were able to stabilize their play.
 
Johnson and lone senior Regan Stiawalt led the Cowgirls offense with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Stiawalt picked up her first double double of the season with 11 digs and ended the match with a .394 hitting percent. Stiawalt was error free on 33 attempts. Johnson also led McNeese with three service aces.
  
Freshman libero Bailey Tillman ended her first collegiate match with a team high 12 digs. Macee Krpec also had a good match, ending with a .444 hitting percent with eight kills on 18 attempts without an error.
 
"Regan, Macee, and Aryn anchored our offense and all had a stellar match. Bailey leads our defense and created some impressive rallies by keeping the ball off the floor."
 
Setters Baylee Laskoskie and Ceci Harness split time and both ended the match with 21 and 20 assists, respectively.
 
At the net, Bria Plante picked up a match high five block assists and was credited with five kills. As a team, the Cowgirls ended the match with 12 team blocks.
 
North Texas (0-1) was led in kills by Rhett Robinson who was credited with a match high 18.
 
NOTABLES
• For the second straight year, McNeese opens its season with a win
• Four freshmen earned starts in their first collegiate match (McKenzie Moore, Jaylin Gordon, Bailey Tillman, Aryn Johnson)
• A total of seven newcomers made their debut as Cowgirls
• Sophomore Bria Plante saw her first collegiate start and led McNeese with five block assists
• Freshman Aryn Johnson led the Cowgirls with 14 kills and three service aces
• Freshman libero Bailey Tillman led the Cowgirls with 12 digs
• Senior Regan Stiawalt recorded her first double double (13 kills, 11 digs) of the season
• Redshirt freshman Ceci Harness tied her career high with 20 assists