SU Volleyball drops four straight, after five match win streak

Tough is the best way top describe the four game schedule the SU Lady Jaguars played last weekend in the Alabama State University Lady Hornet Invitational.
Southern (7-5) started the tournament by playing Nicholls State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. SU fell to both squads 3-0 but did not hang their head.
“This was the toughest opponents on our schedule this year so I told the ladies to calm down and just play your game,” said head coach Nathaniel Denu.
On Saturday, September 15th SU opened up with I-12 neighbor Southeastern Louisiana University. The Blue and Gold took the first two games 30-26 and 30-20 capitalizing on SLU’s slow start. But the Lady Lions were not going to go down without a fight as they took the last three games 30-19, 30-20 and 15-8 to win the match.
“We beat ourselves in all the games we lost,” Denu said. “I was really upset with the team because of the great start we had. We made two many mistakes and had too many errors in the final games.”
Southern was lead by junior Ena Payne who totaled 43 kills, 23 digs and three blocks in four games. True freshman Diane Chavis led the team with eight service aces and 36 digs.
SU will travel to Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday, September 19th to face SWAC foe Jackson State University. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
Before the losing streak, the Jaguars were enjoying its best start in the last four years. Last season UAPB defeated SU in their final home game of the year and advanced the Golden Lions to their first Southwestern Athletic Conference post-season tournament.
“The returnees remembered what happened last season and was looking for a little revenge,” said Denu.
On the second day of the Tiny Laster Memorial Tournament Southern defeated South Carolina State and Hampton University. A week later they hosted a tri-match for their first home games and grabbed a 3-1 win over Alcorn State and a 3-0 win over Hampton. The 3-2 win over UPAB was the first conference win for SU on the year.
Lowndes named SWAC Player of the Week
During the first week of volleyball competition in the Southwestern Athletic Conference true freshman Kamyle Lowndes was named the SWAC newcomer of the week.
The Houma native began her collegiate career with an outstanding weekend. She had 44 kills, 12 services aces, seven digs and 10 blocks during the Hampton University Tournament. Lowndes tallied 14 kills, two aces and two blocks against South Carolina State University.
“Kaymle is a player who will get better as the season progresses,” said head coach Nathaniel Denu. “She shows signs of maturity on the court and she will be a great player for us.”