LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese State's volleyball team got back into the win column and improved to 17-7 overall and evened their Southland Conference record to 5-5 with a straight set 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 win over UT-Arlington here tonight.

The Cowgirls had three players record double figure kills and were led by senior outside hitter Chanel Tyler's match high 12. Tyler also led the Cowgirls with eight digs. Freshman Priscilla Massengale added 11 kills and sophomore Nicole Bowden ended the match with 10 kills. Bowden led all players with six blocks. Senior setter Sarah Cartie led all players with 35 assists to go along with six digs and two service aces.

"I'm really pleased with the win and to have three players record double figure kills in a three set match is outstanding," said head coach Dale Starr.
The Cowgirls got off to a slow start in the first set and trailed 8-2 then 12-9. McNeese made a comeback and took the lead for good on a UTA service error. That would be the last time the Cowgirls would trail in the set as they went on to take a 17-16 lead on a UTA error. McNeese outscored the Mavericks 8-2 the rest of the way to win the set.

"We had good balance tonight. To get back to .500 in the SLC race is big for us. We hold the tie-breaker over UTA should it come down to a tie for the final spot for the Southland Conference Tournament field."

The secod set was back and forth at the beginning with seven ties before McNeese took the lead for good at 11-10 on a Massengale kill. McNeese held a 20-16 lead on a Deanna Sanchez kill before scoring the final two points of the set on a UTA ball handling error and a hitting error for a 2-0 match lead.

"We blocked well tonight. UTA entered the match as the top blocking team in the league and we out blocked them. Nicole Bowden had an excellent match by leading us in blocks to go along with her 10 kills and a .474 hitting percent."

The Cowgirls came out swinging in the third set and held a 17-8 lead after back to back kills by Bowden and Massengale. After a UTA point, back to back errors by UTA gave McNeese a 19-9 lead and before you knew it, the Cowgirls were serving for the match. Bowden put down her tenth kill to end the match.

"I'm really pleased with the win and the sweep. UTA is a good team and we put ourselves in a good position as far as the standings are concerned. We have been playing well the last couple of weeks but we will face a good team in Texas State Saturday. I hope we play well and if we do it will be an exciting match."

The Cowgirls return to action Saturday afternoon to face Texas State (13-12, 7-2 SLC), the second place team in the West division in a 3 p.m. match.