The Northwestern State Demons volleyball team bowed at home to the first-place Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks (25-17, 25-23 and 25-12) Saturday at Prather Coliseum in Southland Conference volleyball action.
The Demons (1-23, 0-10 SLC) came out ready to compete against the conference favorites SFA as the match was tied at 9-9 following a kill by Olivia Bush. However, the Ladyjacks (14-7, 9-1 SLC) went on an 8-2 run to take control.
In the second set, NSU played quite possibly its best frame of the season. The Demons had 13 kills and just six errors. NSU rallied to push SFA to the brink trailing 24-23 following a kill by Bush. However, SFA won the set on a kill by Isabella Ortiz.
“We almost stole that set from them,” said Demons’ first-year coach Ben Kaszeta. “I thought our upperclassmen played really well today which kept us in the game. I thought we passed and served awesomely which helped give us a chance.”
In the third set, the Ladyjacks took control quickly and pulled away.
“That’s a really good team,” said Kaszeta. “I’m glad we were able to compete the way we did but they’re well respected in this conference for a reason, and they showed that in the last set.”
NSU finished with 31 kills led by Samaya Wesson with 10 and Bush with eight.
The Demons go to the University of Incarnate Word Thursday night at 6 p.m. in San Antonio as Southland play continues.
