Knights Defeat John Melvin behind McDowell's 23 Kills

SUNO's volleyball team got their first win of the 2024 season in a thrilling home match against winless John Melvin Christian College (0-3). The Knights (1-5) took the first set of the match, setting the tone for their play throughout the day.

In the first set, the Knights and Mohawks traded points, with short runs by both teams. After the Mohawks took a 6-5 lead, SUNO took a 7-6 lead on an attack error by JMCC's SouthernAnn Cox, and never relinquished that lead. The Knights took the first set 25-21.

After a 17-17 tie in the second set, JMCC went on a seven-point run, taking 24-17 lead. SUNO would score to more points on a JMCC service error and kill by Reagan McDowell, but the Mohawks took the set 25-19.

SUNO returned the favor in set three, with a commanding 15-3 lead on solid serves by Jaliyah Snowden and Alaina Obianozie. The Mohawks made a slight run to pull within eight points, but the Knights kept the pressure on and won the game 25-15.

Set four was much like the second, with JMCC taking advantage of attack errors and making runs of their own to stay close to the Knights. A kill by Dania Ponce-Diaz of JMCC tied the game at 17, but the Knights responded with a 4-point run to take a 21-18 lead. The Mohawks responded with a 7-2 run with kills by Cox and Emily White to end the set.

The Knights took care of business in the final stanza. McDowell tied the match at seven on a kill, assisted by Trinity Bloodworth. Armoni Harris gave SUNO a 9-7 lead with two aces and a solo block by freshman Nigeria Williams, her second in the fifth set. The Mohawks would stay close for a couple of plays but lost their composure with service errors. McDowell would get her 23rd kill of the night to give SUNO a 13-9 lead, and the match ended with the Knights taking home the win with a 15-10 score in the fifth and final set.

SUNO Top Performers

• Outside hitter Reagan McDowell had a match-high 23 kills and added 13 digs

• Setter A'Lon Clark paced the team with a match-high 31 assists. She also had eight digs.

• After winning HBCUAC Defender of the Week on August 19, libero Armoni Harris ended this week with a 43-dig performance. A career-high for her and a match-high in the win.

Score

Records
SUNO (1-5)
Louisiana Christian (0-3)

Location 
New Orleans, La. - The Castle 

Streak
SUNO (W1)