MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? After spending nearly three straight weeks on the road, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team is set to return to its winning ways this weekend at the University of Memphis' Tiger Invitational. In addition to the Cajuns, the tournament field includes Sun Belt member Arkansas State, Stetson, UAB and host Memphis. Live stats will be available via RaginCajuns.com.
Louisiana (1-11), which is in the midst of an 11-match losing streak, has struggled offensively since its season-opening win over Jackson State 3-0 on Aug. 24. However, freshman Amie Goodwin (Tucson, Ariz.) and junior Elizabeth Inman (Fort Worth, Texas) have been two bright spots for the Cajuns offense.
The pair of outside hitters is tied with a team-high 149 kills, averaging 3.39 kills per game. Inman also leads the team with a .216 hitting percentage (149k, 62e, 402ta), while Goodwin is second with a .166 hitting percentage (149k, 73e, 457ta).
In addition to Goodwin and Inman, senior Erika Castro (San Antonio, Texas) continues to ascend the career digs leaderboard. Castro is currently in fourth place all-time with 1,307 digs and trails Annette Carney (1988-91) by six digs for third all-time (1,313). She leads the team with 215 digs, averaging a team-best 4.89 digs per game.
The Cajuns open the five-team tournament against the Atlantic Sun Conference's Stetson Hatters (4-5) at 2 p.m. Friday. Stetson, which lost both matches at the Stetson Invitational last weekend, is led by Rebecca Orzechowicz, who is averaging 3.91 kills per game (125 total kills). UL leads the brief series 2-1, with Stetson winning the last meeting. The Hatters defeated the Cajuns 3-2 in DeLand, Fla., on Oct. 23, 1992.
Saturday, Louisiana will face the host Tigers at 11:30 a.m., following another Conference USA member ? the UAB Blazers at 4:30 p.m. The Tigers hold a 7-4 all-time advantage in the series with the Cajuns. In the last meeting, Memphis shut out the Cajuns 3-0 at the Memphis Invitational in 2003.
Memphis (7-4) has won six of its last seven matches. The Tigers are led by Shelby Burton with 171 kills, while averaging 4.28 kills per game. Ashley Liford is second on the squad with 139 kills (3.46 kills/game).
The Cajuns conclude the weekend with the UAB Blazers in their second and final match on Saturday. UAB (5-4), the defending Conference USA Tournament champion, has lost four of its last five matches after starting the season 4-0. Ivana Bozic leads the Blazers with 112 kills ? a 4.87 kills per game average. Fernanda Domingos is second on the team with 96 kills.
Following this weekend's tournament at the University of Memphis, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns return home to Earl K. Long Gym to open Sun Belt Conference play. The Cajuns will host Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. and Florida International on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m.
Previewing This Weekend's Tournament Field
UAB Blazers (5-4)
Last Time Out: Lost, 3-1 to George Mason at the Pitt Invitational on Sept. 8
Quick Hits: UAB (5-4), the defending Conference USA Tournament champion, has lost four of its last five matches after starting the season 4-0. Ivana Bozic leads the Blazers with 112 kills ? a 4.87 kills per game average. Fernanda Domingos is second on the team with 96 kills.
Series History: UAB leads 2-1
Up Next: at Tulane (Sept. 21)
Memphis Tigers (7-4)
Last Time Out: Won, 3-2 over Mississippi State at the Memphis Invitational Tournament on Sept. 8
Quick Hits: Memphis (7-4), one of C-USA's up-and-coming volleyball programs, has won six of its last seven matches. The Tigers are led by Shelby Burton with 171 kills, while averaging 4.28 kills per game. Ashley Liford is second on the squad with 139 kills (3.46 kills/game).
Series History: Memphis leads 7-4
Up Next: at UTEP (Sept. 21)
Stetson Hatters (4-5)
Last Time Out: Lost, 3-0 to Florida International at Stetson Invitational on Sept. 8
Quick Hits: Stetson, which lost both matches at the Stetson Invitational last weekend, is led by Rebecca Orzechowicz, who is averaging 3.91 kills per game (125 total kills).
Series History: UL leads 2-1
Up Next: vs. Campbell (Sept. 21)
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