LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball was welcomed back on campus Tuesday night after having to spend last season playing all its home matches at SP Arnett Middle School in Sulphur.
 
McNeese (3-1), facing a former Southland Conference foe in Lamar (1-3) didn't waste time in picking up its home opening win in straight sets (25-18, 25-11, 25-12).
 
"This is the first home match that I have coached on campus since coming to McNeese," said head coach Kristee Porter. "It feels really good to be able to play on campus and to have the support of our fans and especially our student body. They provided good energy and our players fed off it."
 
Freshman Aryn Johnson put on another stellar performance by leading all players with a career high 17 kills and a .516 hitting percent. The Rosharon, Texas native has recorded 10 or more kills in three of the Cowgirls' first four matches of the season.
 
The Cowgirls also got solid performances from Lizzy Low who also picked up a career high 14 digs tonight.
"Lizzy is dependable and is was consistent tonight. She kept us in system passing wise and dug some really great balls."
 
The Cowgirls middles not only provided blocking but were also active on offense. Bria Plante ended the match with a .571 hitting percent and freshman Jaylin Gordon ended with a .444 hitting percent along with four blocks. Kendall Glueck led all players with a season high five blocks.
 
"I thought our middles did a really good job of scoring points. We have been working hard to get our middles involved and they did a great job tonight."
 
Setters Ceci Harness and Baylee Laskoskie continued their solid play by dishing out 15 and 14 assists, respectively.
 
McNeese will travel to Houston this weekend to take part in the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup, a tournament the Cowgirls won in 2017
 
 
NOTABLES
• Freshman Aryn Johnson recorded a career high 17 kills. It's the third of four matches Johnson has recorded 10 or more kills.
• Libero Lizzy Low recorded a career high 14 digs
• Bria Plante led all players with a .571 hitting percent
• Kendall Glueck led all players with a season high five blocks
• As a team, McNeese ended the match with a .356 hitting percent
• McNeese was credited with seven service aces and was led by Regan Stiawalt who had three