As a part of Homecoming weekend, the Charlotte 49ers (13-14) took on the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (9-14) in a Conference USA matchup in Halton Arena. With La Tech in last place in the conference and Charlotte in 11th, both teams could have used a win to propel them as the regular season comes to a close.
In the first set, Charlotte took an early lead at 4-1, but Louisiana Tech came ack to match the game at 4-4. Charlotte was able to get up to a 13-10 lead before La Tech called a timeout. The Lady Techsters responded well to the timeout, and went on a 4-2 run to catch up; but Charlotte didn’t give up
Following a second La Tech timeout when down 18-15, the Lady Techsters could not build any momentum, eventually losing the first set to Charlotte, 25-19.
At the end of the first set, Britney Leigh Held outscored the entire La Tech team in assists, with Held having 10 and La Tech having 9. Most importantly, the 49ers only had one service error, which is below their set average.
The second set started similar to the first, with the two teams going point for point. La Tech got a quick 15-11 lead which forced head coach Gokhan Yilmaz to call his first timeout of the game. The 49ers responded well, and made a small comeback to get within two points at 18-16, forcing La Tech to call a reciprocating timeout. Yilmaz called his second timeout of the match while down 21-17, hoping that his team could make a last push to get the win. Yilmaz got his wish, as his team got as close as 24-23, but La Tech ultimately got the win.
The third set saw Charlotte jumping out to an early lead, and the crowd at Halton Arena started to get into the game; but we all know no lead is safe when playing NCAA volleyball. La Tech tied up the game at 14-14 with multiple big hits. Yilmaz called a timeout while down 16-14. While down 22-16 Yilmaz called his next timeout to try and slow the Lady Techsters down. La Tech eventually took the set, 25-17
The fourth set started in the Lady Techsters favor through a 5-0 lead. After the 49ers fought back to 12-7, La Tech called a timeout to regroup. After the timeout, the Lady Techsters never looked back and won the final set, 25-20.
After the game, coach Yilmaz said that they lacked energy all night and need to keep working on certain areas.
“Once the other team wants to win more than you do, its difficult to win the match. We were struggling the whole night, and it is something our kids have to figure out on their own.”
On the subject of how their season is going, coach Yilmaz said that they have been consistent in some parts of the game, but not enough to keep winning.
“You know, it is so interesting, we keep struggling in so many different parts of different matches. Today, La Tech blocked much better than us. Our servicing was bad. Some parts are improving, then disappearing the next week.”
With the loss, the 49ers drop to 13-14 on the season. They return to the court on Sunday, Oct. 26 against University of Texas San Antonio.