LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball hit a season high .313 and placed three players in double figure kills on its way to its first win of the season Tuesday night with a straight set (25-16, 25-22, 25-13) victory over Southern (0-2) in its home opener.
 
McNeese (1-6) ended the match with 43 kills on 12 errors in 99 attempts to produce its season high hitting percent.  McKenzie Moore, Carissa Chainey, and Kayla Wilson all ended the match with 10 kills apiece while Bailey Tillman picked up 11 digs.  Setter Megan Grose dished out a match high 37 assists, it's the second match this season Grose records at least 30 assists in a match.
 
"I'm really proud of how composed we were especially playing down in the first two sets," said head coach Sasha Karelov.  "Sanni (Rantanen) and Kenzie (McKenzie Moore) were effective on the slide.  Kayla (Grose) stayed aggressive and played smart throughout the entire match.  Carissa (Chainey) was steady and consistent in the front and back row.  Overall, it was a total team effort and win tonight."
 
McNeese will remain home to host its McNeese Invitational this Friday and Saturday.  The Cowgirls will face Southeast Missouri at 6:30 p.m. Friday.  On Saturday, the Cowgirls will take on Jackson State at 1 p.m. and Sam Houston at 6:30 p.m.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. SOUTHERN
Set 1
• Southern opened the set by scoring the first seven points then led 10-7
• McNeese went on a 5-2 run to tie the set at 12 all
• A kill by Moore started a 4-0 run to put the Cowgirls up 16-12
• McNeese never let the lead slip and ended the set on a 9-4 run
 
Set 2
• Southern took the early lead for the second straight set by scoring the first five points
• Trailing 5-1, the Cowgirls battled back to even the set at 10 all on a Kayla Wilson kill
• With the score tied at 10, McNeese scored the next four points behind the serve of Megan Grose to lead 14-10 and increased the lead to 18-11 on a Kendall Osgood service ace.
• Southern pulled to within two points (24-22) following two kills and a McNeese error but Moore put down a kill to end the set to give the Cowgirls a 2-0 lead.
 
Set 3
• McNeese took an 6-1 lead behind the serve of Carissa Chainey
• The Cowgirls extended its lead to 15-7 following a mini run
• Southern wouldn't get any closer than eight points.  With McNeese leading 19-11, the Cowgirls closed out the match on a 6-2 run to seal the win.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• It's the fourth straight set win over Southern dating back to 2013
• McNeese recorded its best hitting percent this season (.313)
• Three Cowgirls recorded double figure kills- all with 10 apiece (McKenzie Moore, Carissa Chainey, Kayla Wilson)
• Moore also led the Cowgirls with three service aces, tying her season high