By Rachel Studley
 
HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana dropped a heartbreaking Southland Conference volleyball match against New Orleans in five sets, 21-25, 19-25, 29-27, 25-19, 15-12, Saturday at the University Center.
 
The Lady Lions (2-19, 0-7 Southland) began the match with a strong offensive effort in the first set, amassing 12 total team kills. They rode the momentum to claim the second set, hammering the Privateers (8-11, 2-5 Southland) with a .350 attack percentage.
 
After the break, the Privateers came back to take a close third set by scoring the final 4 points. They continued the rally in the fourth set, outhitting the Lady Lions .350 to .154. In the final set, the Lady Lions tried to overcome a sluggish start but the Privateers were too much.
 
Sophomore hitter Savannah Alcazar (League City, Texas) once again led Southeastern with 16 kills. Freshman outside hitter Alli Capps (Carthage, Texas) and redshirt sophomore Elyssa Purcell (Alvin, Texas) each had 10 kills in the match.
 
Junior setter Haley Baker (Elkton, Maryland) handed out 26 assists and freshman setter Michelle Mirarchi (Plano, Texas) added 18 more assists.
 
NOTES

• Alcazar turned in her second double-double of the season, recording a career-high 16 kills and picking up 11 digs. She also recorded a season high in points (17.5).
• Mirarchi posted her third double-double of the season, picking up 10 digs to go with her assist total.
• Four Lady Lions recorded double-digit digs as libero Lexie Torres (San Antonio, Texas) led the way with 17 and junior Macey Stock (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) added a season-high 14 digs.
• Purcell served up a career-best nine aces, a season high for the Lady Lions.
• Southeastern's 12 service aces as a team are also a season high, and its 72 points scored were the highest.

 
UP NEXT
The Lady Lions travel to face Stephen F. Austin (18-5, 6-1 Southland) in a conference matchup Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. The Ladyjacks beat reigning conference champions Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (9-11, 6-3 Southland) on the Islanders' home court Saturday afternoon, ending a winning streak that began in 2014.
 
FOLLOW THE LADY LIONS
For more information on Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lion Volleyball, as well as all of Southeastern Athletics, visit www.LionSports.net. Fans can also follow along with the team on Twitter (@Southeastern_VB) and Instagram (@Southeastern_VB).