Box Score MOBILE, Ala.--  McNeese volleyball opened its 2024 season with an opening set win before dropping the next three sets in a 3-1 (25-21, 17-25, 18-25, 17-25) loss to Texas A&M Saturday at the South Alabama Invitational.
 
The Cowgirls will conclude tournament play with an 11 a.m. match against South Alabama on Sunday in a match that will be streamed on ESPN+.  The Cowgirls will conclude its road trip with an 11 a.m. match at Southern on Monday.

HEAD COACH SASHA KARELOV QUOTES
"I'm really excited about how we started the match.  We set an aggressive tone behind the service line and did a great job of getting them out of system.  McKenzie (Moore) was a consistent force in the front and back row.  Naterah (Moore) was a spark plug off the bench with her blocks.  We have a lot to build off of and we're looking forward to another chance to compete tomorrow."
 
MATCH NOTES
• Six newcomers saw their first playing time as a Cowgirl
• The Cowgirls out blocked the Aggies 11-7
• Senior McKenzie Moore led the Cowgirls with 14 kills and eight blocks
• Naterah Moore and Luisa Melloni added five blocks apiece
• Kayla Wilson added nine kills
• Melloni and Megan Grose led Cowgirls in assists with 17 and 16, respectively
• Bailey Tillman was credited with 12 digs to lead the Cowgirls

 
Set 1
• Texas A&M took an early 9-4 lead
• A 5-0 run by the Cowgirls even the set at nine
• Another mini run by the Aggies gave them a 12-9
• Wit the set tied at 18, McNeese went on a 4-0 run to take a 22-18 lead before closing out the set with a 25-21 win.
 
Set 2
• Texas A&M took an 8-4 lead then extended it to 18-10
• McNeese went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 19-15
• Texas A&M closed out the set with a 6-2 run to pick up the win and even the match at one set apiece
 
Set 3
• With the set tied at seven apiece, McNeese went on a 4-2 run to lead 11-9 lead
• Texas A&M put together a 6-0 run to lead 19-13 before eventually winning the set
 
Set 4
• Texas A&M took the early lead, but the Cowgirls stayed within three points until the Aggies went on a 4-0 run to extend the lead to 20-13
• The Aggies closed out the set by winning the final three points