The Southern University Lady Jaguars volleyball team was delivered a 3-0 drenching last Thursday in New Orleans by Tulane.
By defeating Southern in three straight sets of 11-30; 17-30; and 15-30, Tulane did nothing to heal the wounds of an already dismal Lady Jags’ season. It was the fifth straight loss for the Southern.
“Tulane is a good team, but we could have played better,” said Southern head coach Nathaniel Denu. “We have been making changes to the lineup since the first game, trying to find some type of chemistry and we’re getting there.”
Denu switched junior middle blocker Sara Kirkendoll and sophomore middle blocker Shemetia Whitaker to cover the center. Denu said that the rationale behind his decision was that Kirkendoll is taller than Whitaker and a more versatile player. Kirkendoll stands at 6’1’’, four inches taller than Whitaker.
The Lady Jaguars are hoping that the switch would work.
Once again, poor passing and bad communication – something that has plagued Southern all season – was the Lady Jags’ downfall against Tulane.
Lady Jaguars’ junior middle blocker Lindsay Kauk and senior middle blocker Kendra Hill had four kills a piece in the loss. Kauk had a team-high seven defensive digs.
Senior setter Mary Young finished with three kills and five defensive digs.
Southern will begin the conference play on Oct. 28 against Texas Southern University in Seymour Gym at 7:30 p.m.
“This will be a whole new season for us and this is where it counts.” Denu said.
