Louisiana Starts Tiger Invitational With Sweep of Alabama A&M

Contact: Matt Hebert

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team out-hit Alabama A&M in each set resulting in a straight sets sweep for Louisiana in the opening match of the Tiger Invitational at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on the University of Memphis campus.

The stats were relatively even, but the Cajuns (6-6) posted a higher hitting percentage each set to put away the Bulldogs (1-12). UL held a hitting percentage advantage of .171-.073 in the first set, .178-.089 the second set and hit .206 while holding AAMU to .000 in the closing frame.

Louisiana increased its win streak to two matches and ended a three-match skid in pre-conference tournaments. UL improved to 5-5 this season in tournament play.

It was the first meeting between the two schools since Oct. 8, 1988 when then-USL swept AAMU in the Southern University Tournament in Baton Rouge.

Blair Claypoole led the Cajuns with eight kills on juts 15 attempts. Tonice White backed her up with seven kills and three other Cajuns – Andrea Hole, Lavinia Tataran and Kelly Wiesmann – each tallied five kills.

UL was never threatened by AAMU as there were only two lead changes the entire match and each time it was a result of the Bulldogs scoring on the first rally of a set.

Caitlyn Auxilien registered her 10^th double figure dig outing of the season, leading the way with a match-best 14.

UL scored the first four points – two kills and two Bulldogs attack errors – and raced out to a comfortable 8-2 lead in the opening set. AAMU closed within a point, 21-20, then back-to-back attack errors and an ace served up by Tataran pushed the Cajuns lead to 24-20.

After dropping the first two rallies of the middle set, the Cajuns reeled off five unanswered to take control. Leading 12-10, UL took advantage of Bulldogs miscues to open a 15-10 advantage.

AAMU cut the Cajuns lead to 22-20 only to have a White kill and bad set by Ashley Forman set up set point for UL. A kill by Weismann two rallies later handed Louisiana 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third set the Cajuns reclaimed the lead for good on a Mandi Gavin service ace which produced a 3-2 lead. Louisiana locked up the set and match victory when kills from Hole and Tataran followed by a Taylor Meade service ace opened an 18-12 lead.

The Ragin' Cajuns continue action Friday afternoon in the Tiger Invitational at 2 p.m., facing 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Belmont. To access live stats and live video click here.

For all of the latest news and information on Ragin' Cajuns Athletics, visit RaginCajuns.com. Fans can also follow the athletics department on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/ULRaginCajuns along with @ULRaginCajuns on Twitter.

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Louisiana Starts Tiger Invitational With Sweep of Alabama A&M

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Team Stats

Blair Claypoole

Tonice White

Kelly Wiesmann

Andrea Hole

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