McNeese Cowgirls serve up victory in Southland Conference clash

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (October 28, 2023)  The McNeese Cowgirls volleyball team ended their week on a high note with an impressive 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in the Southland Conference. 

The Cowgirls, with a record of 13-14 overall and 11-3 in the Southland Conference, outshined their opponents. The match saw an intense battle with both teams fighting for control, but McNeese's trio of McKenzie Moore, Carissa Chainey, and Tshilanda Diouf shone bright, all recording double-digit kills. Moore led the way with an outstanding 13 kills, while Chainey and Diouf contributed 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Notably, Diouf finished the game with an incredible .714 hitting percentage, making 14 attempts without a single error.

In the back row, Bailey Tillman and Kendall Osgood proved to be invaluable assets for McNeese. Tillman, with her 18 digs, showcased her defensive prowess and even entered the Top 10 in McNeese career digs with a total of 1,242. Osgood also displayed her skill with 15 digs, marking her seventh match with double-digit digs this season.

The match unfolded in four sets, with each team displaying remarkable resilience. McNeese started strong, with the first set showcasing a back-and-forth struggle until the Cowgirls, led by Sanni Rantanen's powerful serves, secured a convincing lead. They eventually won the set with consecutive kills from Diouf.

In the second set, the Lions of A&M-Commerce made an early lead, but the Cowgirls clawed their way back into the game, tying the set at 10 all and eventually claiming the victory with Chainey's fierce serving and Moore's crucial kill.

The third set brought suspense as McNeese aimed for a straight-set win, but A&M-Commerce managed to steal the set with a late surge. However, McNeese stormed ahead in the fourth set, securing an early lead and ultimately closing out the match with Chainey's 12th kill.