The third time was the charm for Northwestern State as the Demons defeat Sam Houston 25-16 25-16 25-23 in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament in Natchitoches, La., Friday night.
The Bearkats had defeated the Demons in both their regular season meetings and were the No. 4 seed. But No. 5 seed and host of the tournament Northwestern State advanced to the semifinals against No. 1 seed SFA with the win.
Three-time All-Southland Conference outside hitter Deveney Wells-Gibson, playing in her final match as a Bearkat, led both squads with 12 kills. Caiti O'Connell led the Demons with eight kills.
The two teams were almost even in total kills with Northwestern State totaling 31 while Sam Houston had 30. But errors were the difference as the Demons made only 12 errors in 96 attacks while the SHSU women had 33 in 114.
“We just couldn't get started offensively tonight,” SHSU head coach Brenda Gray said. “We've been out of sync the last few matches. We finally got going in the third set but it was too late.”
All-Southland setter Michelle Griffith assisted on 23 of the Kats' kills. Libero Claire Kilpatrick led the Bearkat defense with 17 digs.
Sam Houston kept the first set close early, rallying for ties at 8-8, 11-11 and 12-12. But, up 17-15, the Demons caught fire, winning eight of the next nine points to take the first stanza 25-16. Both teams totaled nine kills in the opening set, but Sam Houston committed 12 attack errors to just four for Northwestern State.
The story repeated itself in the second set as the Kats held ties at 2-2, 5-5 and 6-6 and were down only three at 12-9 when Northwestern State went on another big run, winning eight of the next nine points to go up 23-14. The Demons won the second 25-17.
The Kats came back after the break and looked like they were ready to force a fourth set, jumping out to a 13-7 lead. Northwestern State again took charge, going on an 8-1 lead to go in front 15-14. Carling Urben's kill put SHSU back ahead by one, 16-15, but that was the Bearkats' last lead.
Sam Houston made the Demons work for match point, tying the score at 23-23. But a service error and a block ended the match.
