Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball Preview: Setters

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team will have a new setter entering the 2015 season, however the individual filling the role is no stranger to head coach Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot's system.

Jessica Bartczyszyn, a redshirt sophomore, enters her third campaign with the Ragin' Cajuns. The Cary, Ill., native saw time as a starter as a freshman and worked alongside departed starter Andrea Hole each of the past two seasons.

Now, Bartczyszyn is poised to take over for Hole.

"Jessica is a true setter and was ready last year," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "Andrea (Hole) is great, but it's Jess' turn…she's been waiting a long time to do it."

Although she has only logged appearances in 12 matches in her career, Mazeitis-Fontenot has witnessed Bartczyszyn's progress the past two years and believes Hole's guidance will benefit her.

"It's incredibly valuable to our team that she was able to work with Andrea (Hole) for two years," Mazeitis-Fontenot remarked. "Last year there were times when I was sure she was ready. We would be running practice and there was very little difference on either side of the net between how we ran our offense and the decisions that were made."

Bartczyszyn does have experience as a starter – a commodity most debuting setters at the collegiate level aren't fortunate to possess – to drawn upon as she enters her first full season as the coordinator of the Cajuns' offense.

She stepped into the starting setter role at the Sawyer Camillo Classic in 2013 after Hole suffered an injury in practice. She seized the opportunity, averaging 9.27 assists per set in those three starts and earned all-tournament honors in leading the Ragin' Cajuns to a pair of wins.

"She set some her freshman year until she was injured," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "She's ready to go. Now we are just trying to perfect some of the stuff that she does."

Sophomore Keely Hayes is the Cajuns second setter. The Cy-Fair (Texas) HS product played in 81 sets over 28 matches as a freshman in 2014 and averaged 1.88 digs aiding in serve receive and defense. She reached double figures in digs five times and scored at least two service aces in four matches.

Hayes' versatility, being both a good defender and solid attacker, will afford her playing time in other areas, similar to her role last season.

"Keely is a very good athlete who sets," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "But we need her in so many other capacities. She might be a great right side hitter for us and she's a really good passer. We're going to use her in both roles this year."

Hannah Henry, a freshman from San Diego, has seen time in preseason camp at setter, but is expected to compete for playing time at libero and defensive specialist.

The Ragin' Cajuns, entering the eighth season under Mazeitis-Fontenot's direction, seek to build upon a 20-13 showing in 2014, the program's first 20-win season since 1990.

Louisiana opens the 2015 season Aug. 28-29 in Lubbock, Texas, participating in the Texas Tech Invitational. The home portion of the schedule opens Sept. 4-5 with Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic.

2015 Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball Preview Schedule
August 20 - Setters
August 21 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
August 22 - Outside Hitters
August 23 - Middle Blockers

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Bartczyszyn

Keely Hayes

Hannah Henry

Andrea Hole