LAKE CHARLES, La. —
Nisaan Martinez recorded a season-high 19 kills, but McNeese claimed the first round of the Battle of the Border series with a 28-26, 25-21, 25-16 sweep of Lamar on Saturday afternoon at Townsley Law Arena.
The teams were tied 13 times in the opening set. Lamar broke a 6-6 tie with a 3-0 run fueled by two kills from
Gabrielle St. Louis and one from
Maja Malinowska.
The Cardinals later stretched their lead to four points with four straight points, including three kills from Martinez.
McNeese answered with a 7-1 run to take a two-point lead.
The score was tied five more times before the Cowgirls scored the final two points to claim the opening set.
Lamar opened the second set with a 5-1 lead behind a 4-0 run that featured two kills from Martinez.
The Cardinals remained in control and built a four-point advantage on a kill by Malinowska.
McNeese gradually erased the deficit, using a 3-1 run to tie the set at 20-20.
Martinez answered with a kill to put Lamar back in front, but the Cowgirls closed the set on a 5-0 run to secure the win.
After four early ties in the third set, McNeese used a 5-0 run to build a 9-4 lead.
The Cowgirls never trailed again, extending the advantage to seven midway through the set.
McNeese later scored three straight points to take its largest lead of the match at 20-12 and cruised to the sweep.
RECORDS: McNeese (5-10, 1-3); Lamar (4-13, 1-3)
MATCH NOTES
- Martinez recorded a season-high 19 kills, adding three digs and a solo block.
- Malinowska finished with 14 kills, one assist, six digs and two block assists while Coy contributed nine kills, an ace and 10 digs.
- St. Louis added five kills and three digs.
- Alexa Gonzalez paced the offense with 21 assists and six digs while Katelyn Hughes chipped in 18 assists and nine digs.
- Gabby Baker anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return home to host Houston Christian at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
#PeckEmCards
