BEAUMONT, Texas—McKenzie Moore led the offensive attack for McNeese volleyball in its 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-17) Southland Conference win over Lamar Thursday night to even its overall record to 14-14 and improve to 12-3 in the SLC.
 
"We came out with some nervous energy, which resulted in some early uncharacteristic errors," said head coach Sasha Karelov. 
 
The win is the fifth straight win for McNeese, who has now won 12 of its last 15 matches and moved McNeese to within one win of second place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi who fell in straight sets at Southeastern tonight.
 
Moore led all players with 13 kills on the night and produced a .500 hitting percent.  She was nearly perfect on the night, committing only one hitting error in 24 attempts.
 
"Kenzie (McKenzie Moore) made some outstanding blocks which were the spark plug for us in the second set.  She played an overall clean and consistent match."
 
McNeese ended the match hitting .271 while Lamar (1-25, 1-14 SLC) hit -.010 on the night.  The Cowgirls' net play produced 13 blocks with Sanni Rantanen claiming five.
 
"It was great to see our blocking be disciplined tonight, resulting in several opportunities for Bailey (Tillman) to touch as many balls as she did."
 
The Cowgirls setters of Megan Grose and Emma Hendricks combined for 27 assists.  Grose was credited with 16 while Hendriks dished out 11.
 
Four-time Southland Conference "Libero of the Week", Bailey Tillman continued her outstanding play this season and led all players with 18 digs.
 
"I'm happy to get another win in the Southland, but hoping we can clean up a few miscues before Saturday."
 
McNeese will travel to Northwestern State on Saturday for a 4 p.m. match.
 
 
SET 1
• With the set tied at six all, McNeese went on a 7-2 run to take a 13-8 lead on three consecutive kills with one coming from Kayla Wilson and two by McKenzie Moore
• Another mini run by the Cowgirls behind four straight points off the serve of Sanni Rantanen pushed the lead to 19-12, causing Lamar to call its second timeout of the set.
• Lamar went on a run of its own (8-2) to pull to within three points 21-20 late in the set.
• McNeese would then outscore the Cardinals 4-2 to take the set
• Moore opened the match with five kills in the set
 
SET 2
• Lamar took an early 11-8 lead before the Cowgirls scored three straight points to even the set at 11
• The Cowgirls then went on a massive 14-6 run to cruise to the win to take a 2-0 lead
 
SET 3
• For the second straight set, Lamar took the early lead
• And for the second straight set, McNeese came back to take the lead (11-9)
• McNeese extended its lead to 15-12 at the media timeout
• Lamar scored the first two points out of the break to pull to within one point (15-14)
• McNeese halted the Lamar scoring with a 5-1 run to take a 20-15 lead and then went on to finish the set on a 5-2 run to close out the match
 
McNEESE NOTES
• The win is the second over Lamar this season
• McNeese has won its last five matches and 12 of its last 15 matches
• As a team, McNeese hit .271 and held Lamar to a -.010 hitting percent
• McNeese was credited with 13 blocks and nine aces
• McKenzie Moore led all players with 13 kills and ended the match with a .500 hitting percent, committing only one error in 24 attempts
• Sanni Rantanen led McNeese with five blocks
• Bailey Tillman led all players with 18 digs
• Carissa Chainey led all players with three aces while contributing with nine kills
• The setter duo of Megan Grose and Emma Hendricks combined for 27 of the 33 Cowgirl assists. Grose ended the match with 16 and Hendricks had 11