The New Orleans Privateers women’s beach volleyball team was eliminated from the Southland tournament after a 3-1 loss to McNeese on Apr. 23 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The match marked the end of the season for the Privateers, who started strong but could not hold off McNeese’s comeback. The opening win came from Cassie and Ellie Sieling, who secured a straight-set victory with scores of 21-19 and 21-17, putting New Orleans ahead early.
A pivotal moment occurred at flight three when Bethanie Durant and Reese Russell of McNeese won the first set against Renata Dykstra and Lucianna Alexander. Although Dykstra and Alexander responded by taking the second set, McNeese clinched the third set after reaching match point at 14-12. Despite saving one match point, New Orleans ultimately lost that flight, allowing McNeese to tie the overall score.
McNeese then won matches at flights four and five to secure their advancement in the tournament. Breanna Cagle and Gracie Behneke took flight four with scores of 21-17 and 21-13. Bella Giarla and McKenna Malone closed out flight five by winning both sets 21-18.
Flight two was left unfinished with McNeese leading by a set and narrowly ahead in points. The result concluded New Orleans’ run in this year’s Southland tournament.
