University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, November 1
Lafayette
6:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
UT Arlington
Ragin’ Cajuns Continue Second Half of SBC Play, Hold Alumni Weekend
10/31/2019 11:37:00 AM | Volleyball
Louisiana Volleyball also celebrating Hall of Fame induction of all-time great Priscilla Lima
LAFAYETTE – Winners of four straight matches, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team seeks to continue building momentum and its steady climb up the Sun Belt Conference standings during Alumni Weekend Nov. 1-3 at Earl K. Long Gym.
Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) has risen into second place in the Sun Belt West standings after consecutive 2-0 weekends.
The Ragin' Cajuns host UT Arlington (13-10, 5-6 Sun Belt) and Texas State (18-7, 10-1 Sun Belt) as the team's current four-match homestand, which began with a sweep of Little Rock and Arkansas State, concludes.
The matchup with UTA is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday. It's the second consecutive match in which Louisiana is playing for possession of second place in the SBC West.
The weekend ends on Sunday at Noon against SBC West front-runner Texas State. Prior to the match the Ragin' Cajuns will celebrate the induction of Priscilla Lima into the Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame.
Louisiana has turned the tide on the opposition during the present win streak, increasing its hitting percentage to .243 while limiting foes to a .130 clip. The Ragin' Cajuns have also improved at the service line, holding a 21-7 edge in aces during the streak.
Fans can follow both of the weekend's matches by accessing the live stats and live video links at RaginCajuns.com/2019VB and with updates posted on the team's Twitter account (@RaginCajunsVB).
THE MATCHES
Match 24: Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) vs. UT Arlington (13-10, 5-6 Sun Belt)
Friday, Nov. 1 • 6:30 p.m. (CDT) • Earl K. Long Gym (1,121) • Lafayette, La.
Stream: RaginCajuns.com/Watch
Series: UT Arlington leads 15-6
Last Meeting: 9/28/19 in Arlington, Texas – Louisiana W, 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 25-16)
Watch | Live Stats
Match 25: Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) vs. Texas State (18-7, 10-1 Sun Belt)
Sunday, Nov. 3 • 12:00 p.m. (CST) • Earl K. Long Gym (1,121) • Lafayette, La.
Stream: RaginCajuns.com/Watch
Series: Texas State leads 17-1
Last Meeting: 9/27/19 in San Marcos, Texas – Texas State W, 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-13, 25-20)
Watch | Live Stats
COACH MAZEITIS-FONTENOT'S THOUGHTS
On the keys to a successful weekend
"We just have to play our brand of volleyball against two high-quality squads. Our focus first is on UT Arlington on Friday, then we'll refocus for Texas State on Sunday. It's not about one match being more important than the other – at this point every single match is important."
SET POINTS
ABOUT LOUISIANA
Highlighting the list of returners is junior outside hitter Hali Wisnoskie, a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and preseason all-conference choice for 2019, who owns a pair of 300-plus kills seasons and senior middle blocker Dree'Ana Abram who has dominated at the net with back-to-back seasons of 90-plus blocks.
Other returning starters include right side hitter Desiree Johnson who appeared in every match and set during her rookie campaign and setters Avery Breaux and Milayne Danna who directed the 6-2 offense in 2018.
Tia Jade Smith, who showed she can be a force in the middle during a key two-week stretch in the second half of Sun Belt play last season, is expected to make an impact.
The Ragin' Cajuns welcome a pair of newcomers from the junior college ranks in standout libero Hannah Ramirez from Panola College along with Lafayette native Elise Baranco who returns home after one season at Pratt (Kan.) Community College.
Freshmen team members include Dallas Skyline Juniors standouts Kara Barnes and Celeste Darling and Parker, Colo., product Claire Turner.
UP NEXT
A home-and-home weekend with in-state Sun Belt foe ULM awaits the Ragin' Cajuns the weekend of Nov. 8-10.
The two teams meet Friday in Monroe in a 6 p.m. contest at Fant-Ewing Coliseum, then conclude the weekend set on Sunday at Noon inside Earl K. Long Gym in Louisiana's Senior Day match.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) has risen into second place in the Sun Belt West standings after consecutive 2-0 weekends.
The Ragin' Cajuns host UT Arlington (13-10, 5-6 Sun Belt) and Texas State (18-7, 10-1 Sun Belt) as the team's current four-match homestand, which began with a sweep of Little Rock and Arkansas State, concludes.
The matchup with UTA is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday. It's the second consecutive match in which Louisiana is playing for possession of second place in the SBC West.
The weekend ends on Sunday at Noon against SBC West front-runner Texas State. Prior to the match the Ragin' Cajuns will celebrate the induction of Priscilla Lima into the Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame.
Louisiana has turned the tide on the opposition during the present win streak, increasing its hitting percentage to .243 while limiting foes to a .130 clip. The Ragin' Cajuns have also improved at the service line, holding a 21-7 edge in aces during the streak.
Fans can follow both of the weekend's matches by accessing the live stats and live video links at RaginCajuns.com/2019VB and with updates posted on the team's Twitter account (@RaginCajunsVB).
THE MATCHES
Match 24: Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) vs. UT Arlington (13-10, 5-6 Sun Belt)
Friday, Nov. 1 • 6:30 p.m. (CDT) • Earl K. Long Gym (1,121) • Lafayette, La.
Stream: RaginCajuns.com/Watch
Series: UT Arlington leads 15-6
Last Meeting: 9/28/19 in Arlington, Texas – Louisiana W, 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 25-16)
Watch | Live Stats
Match 25: Louisiana (9-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) vs. Texas State (18-7, 10-1 Sun Belt)
Sunday, Nov. 3 • 12:00 p.m. (CST) • Earl K. Long Gym (1,121) • Lafayette, La.
Stream: RaginCajuns.com/Watch
Series: Texas State leads 17-1
Last Meeting: 9/27/19 in San Marcos, Texas – Texas State W, 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-13, 25-20)
Watch | Live Stats
COACH MAZEITIS-FONTENOT'S THOUGHTS
On the keys to a successful weekend
"We just have to play our brand of volleyball against two high-quality squads. Our focus first is on UT Arlington on Friday, then we'll refocus for Texas State on Sunday. It's not about one match being more important than the other – at this point every single match is important."
SET POINTS
- The Ragin' Cajuns four-match win streak is tied for the squad's longest streak of the season – first accomplished Sept. 6-10.
- Last week's sweep of Little Rock and Arkansas State allowed Louisiana to gain separation from the Trojans and ULM, plus the Georgia schools. Aside from the two division winners, the next best four records, regardless of division, qualify for the Sun Belt Tournament.
- Hali Wisnoskie has begun to develop a rhythm in the latter stages of the season, having reached double figures in kills each of the past four matches.
- During the four-match win streak, Hali Wisnoskie is averaging 4.31 kills per set on a .299 hitting percentage. Her revival began on the Georgia trip two weeks back when she racked up 33 kills (4.71 per set) on a .368 hitting percentage – a display of the dominance that made her an All-Sun Belt performer the previous two seasons.
- In six of the team's 10 Sun Belt matches, senior middle blocker Dree'Ana Abram has scored double digits in kills on a .300-plus hitting percentage.
- In Sun Belt play, Hali Wisnoskie (3.19) and Dree'Ana Abram (2.97) have led the charge for Louisiana, both averaging near or above three kills per set. Wisnoskie has scored 118 kills and Abram has produced 110.
- Dree'Ana Abram is seven blocks shy from becoming only the third player in the rally scoring era to amass 300 career blocks (would join Kim Rodgers and Chanelle Gardner).
- Louisiana added a wrinkle to its offense last weekend getting timely and efficient production from Tia Jade Smith and Celeste Darling. The timely scores included Darling scoring 14 kills off 32 swings and Smith providing 12 kills off 21 swings.
- Avery Breaux has hit the 30-plus assists mark nine times in 10 SBC outings. She's passed out 10-plus assists in each of the past four matches.
- Since taking over as the primary setter in the 5-1 attack at the onset of Sun Belt play, Avery Breaux is averaging 10.16 assists per set and 2.30 digs per set through 10 conference matches.
- With a 21-7 advantage in aces the past two weekends, the Ragin' Cajuns now hold a 43-31 lead over foes in Sun Belt Conference play. The team's 31 reception errors are the fewest amongst all teams in conference matches.
- Tia Jade Smith posted 10 total blocks (6 BS, 4 BA) at a rate of 1.67 per set last weekend. She played an integral role in Louisiana limiting Little Rock and Arkansas State to a combined .038 hitting percentage.
- Louisiana's upswing on offense continued last week as the squad stretched its streak of consecutive matches hitting .200-plus to six straight outings with a .220 showing vs. Little Rock and .216 clip vs. Arkansas State.
- Louisiana has made it tough for opposing foes to find the floor, averaging 17.49 digs per set – a figure which ranks Top 15 nationally and leads the Sun Belt Conference. The Ragin' Cajuns have scooped at least 50 digs in all but two matches.
- JUCO transfer Hannah Ramirez paces the back row efforts averaging 4.45 digs per set serving as the Ragin' Cajuns' libero. Ramirez, a three-time all-tournament choice in non-conference play, has scooped double digits in digs in 20 of 23 matches.
- Louisiana features a balanced attack with four players averaging at least two kills per set. Two-time All-Sun Belt performer Hali Wisnoskie leads the group averaging 2.75 kills per set. She's joined by Dree'Ana Abram (2.40 kills/set), Kelsey Bennett (2.29 kills/set) and Celeste Darling (2.14 kills/set).
ABOUT LOUISIANA
Highlighting the list of returners is junior outside hitter Hali Wisnoskie, a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and preseason all-conference choice for 2019, who owns a pair of 300-plus kills seasons and senior middle blocker Dree'Ana Abram who has dominated at the net with back-to-back seasons of 90-plus blocks.
Other returning starters include right side hitter Desiree Johnson who appeared in every match and set during her rookie campaign and setters Avery Breaux and Milayne Danna who directed the 6-2 offense in 2018.
Tia Jade Smith, who showed she can be a force in the middle during a key two-week stretch in the second half of Sun Belt play last season, is expected to make an impact.
The Ragin' Cajuns welcome a pair of newcomers from the junior college ranks in standout libero Hannah Ramirez from Panola College along with Lafayette native Elise Baranco who returns home after one season at Pratt (Kan.) Community College.
Freshmen team members include Dallas Skyline Juniors standouts Kara Barnes and Celeste Darling and Parker, Colo., product Claire Turner.
UP NEXT
A home-and-home weekend with in-state Sun Belt foe ULM awaits the Ragin' Cajuns the weekend of Nov. 8-10.
The two teams meet Friday in Monroe in a 6 p.m. contest at Fant-Ewing Coliseum, then conclude the weekend set on Sunday at Noon inside Earl K. Long Gym in Louisiana's Senior Day match.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
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