Box Score HTML Box Score
CHICAGO – Chicago State volleyball opened the 2013 season on Friday (Aug. 30) afternoon against McNeese State at the DePaul Invitational. The Cowgirls upended the Cougars 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-18) in the opening match of the tournament at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Junior
Valeria Desiderio (Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom) led the Chicago State attack with 13 kills and seven digs. Freshman
Mackenzie Lotter (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central), playing in her first collegiate match, recorded 30 assists. The newcomer Lotter also added nine digs. Senior
Paula Sioto (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Instituto Educacional Raphael Di Santo) hit .300 with eight kills and seven digs.
Chicago State out-killed the Cowgirls in the opening set 10-8 but the Cougars were hurt by 10 attack errors in the frame. The Cougars opened a 4-2 advantage in the second set before McNeese State rallied for a 9-5 lead forcing a Chicago State timeout. Ultimately won the second set by nine points. The Cowgirls closed out the match with a seven-point victory in the third set.
"With a first match there are always some jitters," Chicago State head coach Toby Rens said. "But we were just too streaky today."
Malina Sanchez led the Cowgirls with 11 kills.
McNeese State improves to 1-0. The Cougars fall to 0-1.
The Cougars continue play in the DePaul Invitational on Saturday. Chicago State plays host DePaul at noon and Providence at 4:30 p.m.
