University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Reviewing the 2021 Season With Kristi Gray
12/6/2021 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
LAFAYETTE – A new era of Louisiana Volleyball was launched during the 2021 season as head coach Kristi Gray began to write her chapter in the program's history.
Much like the success she experienced in her five-year tenure at Odessa College prior to arriving in Louisiana, Gray orchestrated instant success with the Ragin' Cajuns (15-11, 9-7 Sun Belt).
Louisiana operated one of the Sun Belt's most efficient and exciting offenses by utilizing Gray's up-tempo system. The team led the conference in hitting percentage through Oct. 23, remaining in the Top 5 through season's end and finishing at .230 which is the program's rally era record.
Boosted by a clean sweep of the first round of SBC West Division play, which included the program's first-ever win over Texas State in San Marcos, Louisiana was in contention for the division title entering the month of November.
With preparations for the upcoming spring practice session and her second season in 2022 underway, Gray took a moment to reflect upon the start of her journey with the Ragin' Cajuns.
Q: Personally, how would you describe the experience of your first season with Louisiana Volleyball?
KG: "This first year was a great start to the future of Louisiana Volleyball. We grew so much from both an athletic and a culture standpoint.
I was also very impressed with the turnout of fans that we had every match. You know you are doing something right when you continue to grow your fan base.
My hope is that we continue to build upon that in the future, because they are a huge part of our success. I am excited to build off of what we have going into 2022."
Q: Establishing the culture of the program was a goal from Day 1. At the conclusion of your first season, how would you assess the progress?
KG: "There has definitely been growth with the culture of the program, but there is still a lot of work to be done."
Q: The 2021 team set the program's rally scoring era record for season hitting percentage. What were the keys to that success?
KG: "It is always great to set records, especially in year one, but to me this number (.230 season hitting percentage) needs to be better. This isn't where we want to be offensively.
I do believe that the key to our success with it is our fast-tempo offense."
Q: After your team completed the program's first-ever sweep of the first round of Sun Belt West Division play, describe what the accomplishment meant at that moment.
KG: "I love having firsts for a program. I think that it is great to build the confidence that this program needs moving forward."
Q: Kelsey Bennett posted a 300-300 season, averaged over three kills and digs per set and hit above .250 practically all season long. Describe how she was able to be so effective.
KG: "Kelsey (Bennett) was our go-to option all season long. She is someone that everyone looked to both offensively and defensively. I believe that with getting to work with Kelsey this upcoming spring, she will have another big year in 2022."
Q: Coco Gillett showed that she'll be an exciting player to watch in the coming years. What are the characteristics of her style of play that the program will benefit from in the future?
KG: "Coco sacrifices her body every play and is super competitive … two things that we are looking for with future recruits. I am very defensive minded and don't like volleyballs hitting the floor. We need more Coco's when it comes to defense."
Q: Several other players had standout seasons. Spotlight a few others that stood out to you.
KG: "Someone who had a great first year was Siena (DeCambra). She did a great job all year with stepping into her role and running our offense.
The great part is we still have her for another three years! She will continue to grow and get better."
Q: Stats do not tell the entire story. Who are some individuals who impacted the team's success in an intangible way?
KG: "Two people who come to mind are Dani (Taix) and Bri (Franklin). I think that both of them did an amazing job all season with keeping our bench alive. No matter what they stayed positive and kept the positive energy."
Q: What was your most memorable moment (or match) of the season and why?
KG: "This is a tough one. It would have to be the match at Texas State, though, for that being the first time in program history to win in San Marcos. It was a great feeling! Just seeing the team's reaction was priceless."
Q: Looking back at the 2021 season one last time, what are you most proud of in the team's performance?
KG: "I am proud of everything this team accomplished. We had many firsts. We struggled at times, but fought through the adversity. There were more times than not that this team never gave up.
I think that is all a part of changing the culture, and we are off to a great start."
Q: Is there a message you'd like to share with Cajun Nation?
KG: "I would love to personally thank Cajun Nation for the support that was shown all year. I was very impressed with the turnout and how loud EK was.
I am very excited for the future and hope to continue to build our fan base." #PACKEK
Much like the success she experienced in her five-year tenure at Odessa College prior to arriving in Louisiana, Gray orchestrated instant success with the Ragin' Cajuns (15-11, 9-7 Sun Belt).
Louisiana operated one of the Sun Belt's most efficient and exciting offenses by utilizing Gray's up-tempo system. The team led the conference in hitting percentage through Oct. 23, remaining in the Top 5 through season's end and finishing at .230 which is the program's rally era record.
Boosted by a clean sweep of the first round of SBC West Division play, which included the program's first-ever win over Texas State in San Marcos, Louisiana was in contention for the division title entering the month of November.
With preparations for the upcoming spring practice session and her second season in 2022 underway, Gray took a moment to reflect upon the start of her journey with the Ragin' Cajuns.
Q: Personally, how would you describe the experience of your first season with Louisiana Volleyball?
KG: "This first year was a great start to the future of Louisiana Volleyball. We grew so much from both an athletic and a culture standpoint.
I was also very impressed with the turnout of fans that we had every match. You know you are doing something right when you continue to grow your fan base.
My hope is that we continue to build upon that in the future, because they are a huge part of our success. I am excited to build off of what we have going into 2022."
Q: Establishing the culture of the program was a goal from Day 1. At the conclusion of your first season, how would you assess the progress?
KG: "There has definitely been growth with the culture of the program, but there is still a lot of work to be done."
Q: The 2021 team set the program's rally scoring era record for season hitting percentage. What were the keys to that success?
KG: "It is always great to set records, especially in year one, but to me this number (.230 season hitting percentage) needs to be better. This isn't where we want to be offensively.
I do believe that the key to our success with it is our fast-tempo offense."
Q: After your team completed the program's first-ever sweep of the first round of Sun Belt West Division play, describe what the accomplishment meant at that moment.
KG: "I love having firsts for a program. I think that it is great to build the confidence that this program needs moving forward."
Q: Kelsey Bennett posted a 300-300 season, averaged over three kills and digs per set and hit above .250 practically all season long. Describe how she was able to be so effective.
KG: "Kelsey (Bennett) was our go-to option all season long. She is someone that everyone looked to both offensively and defensively. I believe that with getting to work with Kelsey this upcoming spring, she will have another big year in 2022."
Q: Coco Gillett showed that she'll be an exciting player to watch in the coming years. What are the characteristics of her style of play that the program will benefit from in the future?
KG: "Coco sacrifices her body every play and is super competitive … two things that we are looking for with future recruits. I am very defensive minded and don't like volleyballs hitting the floor. We need more Coco's when it comes to defense."
Q: Several other players had standout seasons. Spotlight a few others that stood out to you.
KG: "Someone who had a great first year was Siena (DeCambra). She did a great job all year with stepping into her role and running our offense.
The great part is we still have her for another three years! She will continue to grow and get better."
Q: Stats do not tell the entire story. Who are some individuals who impacted the team's success in an intangible way?
KG: "Two people who come to mind are Dani (Taix) and Bri (Franklin). I think that both of them did an amazing job all season with keeping our bench alive. No matter what they stayed positive and kept the positive energy."
Q: What was your most memorable moment (or match) of the season and why?
KG: "This is a tough one. It would have to be the match at Texas State, though, for that being the first time in program history to win in San Marcos. It was a great feeling! Just seeing the team's reaction was priceless."
Q: Looking back at the 2021 season one last time, what are you most proud of in the team's performance?
KG: "I am proud of everything this team accomplished. We had many firsts. We struggled at times, but fought through the adversity. There were more times than not that this team never gave up.
I think that is all a part of changing the culture, and we are off to a great start."
Q: Is there a message you'd like to share with Cajun Nation?
KG: "I would love to personally thank Cajun Nation for the support that was shown all year. I was very impressed with the turnout and how loud EK was.
I am very excited for the future and hope to continue to build our fan base." #PACKEK
Players Mentioned
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