University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Hurry Back After 0-3 Loss To UTSA
8/30/2008 5:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON - The Ragin' Cajuns final volleyball match of the weekend was moved from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday as the team tries to get back home with enough time to prepare for Hurricane Gustav. Mizuno Tournament officials agreed to the time change after consideration of the storm's projected path directly through Lafayette, though the hurried match ended in a 0-3 loss for the Cajuns by scores of 22-25, 11-25, and 19-25.
A distracted Cajuns team took the court against the Roadrunners of Texas-San Antonio for the last match of the opening weekend, trying to prevent a winless weekend. But the distractions of emergency planning and worry over the weather proved too much to allow the Ragin' Cajuns a chance to concentrate.
After a strong opening set, in which Louisiana fell by just three points, Mazeitis and crew struggled in the sandwich set but went on to seriously challenge the Roadrunners in the third. The Cajuns tied the score at 15-15 on a service ace from Schae Black before UL unravelled amidst the pressures and worries of a hurricane weekend.
Three attack errors, one ball handling error, a service error and two untouched Roadrunner serves later and the set was wide open, with a seven point advantage for UTSA.
Amie Goodwin delivered a standout performance in the match, posting a .300 hitting percentage among seven kills and just one attack error. She added nine digs and two block assists to balance her stat line. Carly Payan matched Goodwin in both the kills and digs categories, the two owning the team match-high for kills. Lindsay Brown netted 15 digs to lead the team.
Freshman Lesley Mirarchi broke out with a noteworthy match as well. Five kills and a .125 hitting percentage compliment two digs, one block solo and block assist. Normally a strong arm at the net, Elizabeth Inman was relatively quiet in the attack category, but did post three blocks to lead the team.
After dealing with Hurricane Gustav this week, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns will travel to Lake Charles, La. to particpate in the McNeese State Tournament with matches against Southern Miss, McNeese and Mississippi State beginning Friday, Sept. 5. The Cajuns play their first home game in Earl K. Long Gymnaisum on Tuesday, Sept. 9, against Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m.
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