RUSTON – The Northwestern State volleyball team had 54 digs and held the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils to just 19 kills as they rolled to a three-set win (25-21, 25-15 and 25-14) Thursday afternoon in the Bulldog Bash hosted by Louisiana Tech.
The Demons (3-6) kept a comfortable lead in the first set leading by as many as seven, 20-13. Elsie Sanchez led the way early with seven kills in the opening set while Emmarie McFarland had eight digs. McFarland also clinched the first set with a kill to give the Demons the early advantage.
The Demons stormed out in the second set to an early 6-0 lead highlighted by a couple of aces by Sanchez. The Delta Devils (1-5) tried to get back in the match, winning three of the next four points. But NSU maintained a comfortable lead, 10-4. Anna Claire Hebert also put her fingerprints on the second set as she had 10 assists before the end of the set. Sanchez’s ninth kill of the match put a stamp of the second set as the Demons won 25-15.
In the third set, the Demons used a 7-0 run to take the lead in the frame and led 15-10 at the third set media timeout.
NSU was led by Sanchez with nine kills while sophomore Kenadii Winfrey and freshman Amber Craig both had six. McFarland had a three-set career-high of 25 digs. Hebert added 15 assists.
NSU’s defense was impeccable in this one. The 19 kills are the lowest by the program since Aug. 28, 2021, against Alabama A&M when they yielded just 11 in a 3-0 win. The 54 digs are the most by the Demons in a three-set match since Oct. 24, 2024, when NSU had 55 at Lamar in a 3-0 victory.
While the defense was terrific, head coach Ben Kaszeta talked about the entire effort from his team both offensively and defensively.
“That was a great team win,” said Kaszeta. “Almost everyone got to have a positive mark for the good. We played calmly and relaxed while still being aggressive today. The defensive energy was great and having a lot of options helps. Not to mention, our young hitters are learning how to hit and score. Lots of good in this one.”
The win is the second straight for NSU after beating Jackson State in four sets Tuesday night in the Demons’ home opener.
Next up, the Demons will get a rematch with ULM (2-5) this afternoon at 4. The Warhawks defeated the Demons 3-0 in Monroe on Sept. 1.