LAKE CHARLES, La. – Redshirt freshman
Elyssa Purcell tied for the national lead in triple-doubles on her way to helping lead Southeastern Louisiana to a 5-set victory over McNeese in Southland Conference volleyball action Saturday at Memorial Gym, 22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10.
Purcell, a native of Alvin, Texas, dished out 18 assists while recording career highs with 18 kills and 21 digs. It was her seventh triple-double of the season, tying her with Taylor Smith of Eastern Illinois for the most at the Division I level so far in 2016.
The match was the Lady Lions' (6-19, 5-7 Southland) ninth 5-setter of the season, compiling a 3-6 mark in those matches.
McNeese (9-18, 5-7 Southland) fell for just the third time in the last eight matches, with two of those losses being delivered by Southeastern.
After dropping the first set, the Lady Lions rebounded to tie the match. Southeastern hit at a .379 clip in the second set while holding the Cowgirls to a negative (-.033) attack percentage.
McNeese bounced back to claim the third set, but the Lady Lions once again came back to even the match.
Hitting at a .538 success rate in the final set, Southeastern picked up a win to stay in the hunt for a spot in the upcoming conference tournament.
Purcell led all players in kills, while
Landry Bullock (16), a senior from Spring, Texas, and
Madi Odom (11), a senior from Kingwood, Texas, also reached double figures for the Lady Lions. Odom turned in her seventh double-double this season, also posting a match and career-high 27 digs.
Haley Baker, a sophomore from Elkton, Maryland, handed out 31 assists to direct Southeastern's offensive attack.
Rachael Bunn, a senior from San Juan Capistrano, California, had a hand in three of the Lady Lions' seven blocks, moving into sole possession of fourth place on Southeastern's career list for total blocks (302).
Monica Ramon, a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, added 23 digs, joining Odom and Purcell in double figures.
Hailee Showers led the Cowgirls with 12 kills, while Alexandra Aguilera recorded a double-double by dishing out a match-high 34 assists and chipping in 14 digs.
Jenny D'Alessandro, who contributed nine kills, had a hand in eight of McNeese's 12 team blocks.
Bridget Justis (17) and Adison Giambrone (11) each reached double figures in digs.
With the Southland volleyball tournament two weeks away, Southeastern currently sits in a tie with Central Arkansas, McNeese and Lamar for the final three spots. The Lady Lions swept the season series from McNeese and defeated Lamar in the only matchup this season.
Southeastern will return to the University Center for its final home match of the 2016 season, Tuesday, against Central Arkansas. The conference contest against the Sugar Bears will start at 6 p.m.
Southeastern La. def. McNeese 22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10
Southeastern La. (6-19, 5-7 SLC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Purcell, Elyssa 18-2-2; Bullock, Landry 16-0-2; Odom, Madi 11-2-2; Holden, Chloee 9-0-1; Alcazar, Savannah 5-0-2; Ramon, Monica 1-0-0; Bunn, Rachael 0-0-3; Stock, Macey 0-1-0;
Totals 60-5-7.0. (Assists) - Baker, Haley 31; Purcell, Elyssa 18.
(Dig leaders) - Odom, Madi 27; Ramon, Monica 23; Purcell, Elyssa 21; Stock, Macey 9
McNeese (9-18, 5-7 SLC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Showers, Hailee 12-0-3; D'Alessandro, Jenny 9-0-8; Elliott, Katelyn 9-0-0; Korenek, Rebecca 6-0-4; Lewis, Ebony 4-3-4; Aguilera, Alexandra 1-0-1; Nelms, Keegan 1-1-0; Myers, Rae 0-1-1; Giambrone, Adison 0-1-0;
Totals 42-6-12.0. (Assists) - Aguilera, Alexandra 34.
(Dig leaders) - Justis, Bridget 17; Aguilera, Alexandra 14; Giambrone, Adison 11; Nelms, Keegan 8; McGownd, Angela 8
Site: Lake Charles, La. (Memorial Gym)
Date: Oct 29, 2016
Attend: 257
Time: 2:10
Referees: Elaine Crane, David Dufrene
