University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Reviewing the 2022 Season with Kristi Gray
12/15/2022 4:34:00 PM | Volleyball
LAFAYETTE - Only two seasons into her tenure since arriving in Louisiana, Kristi Gray has quickly elevated the profile of the Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball program.
Her high-energy style of play attracted a single-season total attendance record (6,446) to Earl K. Long Gym during the 2022 season. Then the crowning achievement to date came in December 2022 when Louisiana competed in a national postseason event for the first time ever, taking part in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) in Edinburg, Texas.
Louisiana posted a 15-13 mark, the second consecutive season with a winning record under Gray's guidance, in the 2022 season. The Ragin' Cajuns picked up their signature non-conference win of Gray's tenure with a straight sets sweep of the SEC's Alabama at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational in September and later closed the regular season strong winning five of their last eight outings before advancing into the quarterfinals at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
Gray was successful in significantly improving the team's RPI in her second season, staying in the Top 150 throughout the season and standing at No. 127 entering the postseason.
On the court, Year 2 was highlighted by senior Kelsey Bennett eclipsing both 1,000 career kills and digs, the team ranking Top 100 nationally in blocking at over two blocks per set (252 total, 2.3/set) and Cami Hicks earning All-Sun Belt Conference recognition after a 100-plus blocks campaign. Off the court, an extensive renovation to Earl K. Long Gym - which included a state-of-the-art Taraflex court and Daktronics videoboard - was completed turning the Ragin' Cajuns' home into one of the premier volleyball-specific venues in the country.
With preparations for the upcoming spring practice session and her third season in 2023 beginning soon, Gray took a moment to reflect upon the Ragin' Cajuns historic season and offer insight into plans for continuing to build upon the momentum.
Q: Starting with how the season finished, can you put into words what the importance of the program's appearance in the NIVC and competing in December was?
KG: "Competing in the NIVC was extremely important for the direction we desire to take this program. It's foreign to this team to compete past the conference tournament and if we want to start playing in the NCAA Tournament, we have to start somewhere. I think the NIVC is that place to get them familiar with it. If you look at all the teams who have done well in or won the NIVC, they eventually progressed on to the NCAA Tournament."
Q: The won-loss record doesn't tell the entire story, so how would you evaluate the program's performance in the 2022 season as a whole?
KG: "As a whole, I am very proud of this team and what they accomplished this year. Our record might not have shown it, but we had a much tougher schedule than the year prior. We competed against some high-level teams, we swept Alabama, and advanced to a national postseason tournament for the first time in program history. I'd say we took a step in the right direction."
Q: It was the final season for Kelsey Bennett as a Ragin' Cajun. Can you describe the impact she had in the two seasons you spent with her?
KG: "Kelsey is a kid you dream of having in your program. She is going to come in, work hard, and do what it takes for the team to be their best. She is a lead-by-example individual but will say something if needed and when she does, everyone knows she means business.
I remember the first time Kelsey and I sat down and talked once I got this job. From that conversation, she exceeded all expectations I had for her as a player and leader for this program. I am truly going to miss her presence and voice in this program."
Q: The team ranked Top 5 within the Sun Belt and Top 100 nationally in blocking. What were the keys to that success?
KG: "At the conclusion of last season I thought that we were much better at blocking than what our numbers showed. Therefore, one of our goals this season was to be one of the top blocking teams in conference. We knew we had the talent in the student-athletes. We even added two more very talented blockers. Plus, we have a great coach to teach them. Jazymne (Johnson) does a phenomenal job developing them where we have put ourselves at the top."
Q: Were there any players who stepped up or exceeded your expectations?
KG: "There are a few players that come to mind. Cami Hicks did an outstanding job this year. I would say she is the most improved player over the last year-and-a-half since our staff arrived here. She set goals, one them being to make all-conference and seeing her receive that award was awesome.
Celeste Darling is another. I knew she was going to come in and help us immediately because of the program she just came from (NCAA Sweet 16 Houston). She most definitely exceeded my expectations; she was both an offensive and defensive threat for us.
I think in terms of someone stepping up, the first person that comes to mind is Paige Guidry. Paige hadn't stepped into that libero role before – she has always been an outside hitter. For her to step up when Jordan was injured and win over that role for the remainder of the year was awesome to see as a coach. She was willing to do what it took for the team to be successful.
Lastly, I would say Lauryn Hill. Even though her numbers didn't always show it, stepping into a big role as a freshman is not always easy. Overall, I think she did a phenomenal job and brought a lot to this team. We are excited to have the opportunity to develop her more this spring and watch her grown into the player we know she is."
Q: Coco Gillett closed the season with nine consecutive double-doubles. What did you see from her performance that led to the strong finish.
KG: "Coco is just a competitive player in general. She is willing to do whatever it takes to go win. She will sacrifice her body to get a ball up and she will be vocal in wanting to get ball after ball from her setters."
Q: Because of injuries you had several different lineups throughout the season. How was your coaching staff able to adjust and how beneficial was it for many players to gain experience at different positions?
KG: "This was actually one of the most difficult things we did this year. There is both good and difficult that comes from this. It is great to have different lineups and players being able to play in all different positions gaining that experience. But at the same time, it can be challenging because the team isn't able to have that consistency."
Q: The crowd support this season produced a new program record for total attendance in a single season. Describe the impact that has on the atmosphere at E.K. Long.
KG: "I hope our fans – and all fans for that matter – know that impact that they bring to a match. When I say we can't win some of those matches without them, I truly mean it.
The atmosphere they are able to bring to EK is unlike any other we play in. I absolutely love the energy they bring.
I hope that we can continue to build a winning program that people are proud to be a part of, where they want to continue to come not only watch us play but to be a part of something special."
Q: Looking ahead to the 2023 season, what are the areas within the program that your coaching staff will be focusing on?
KG: "Just like every other year at this time, I am reflecting on the season and how we can be better in all areas. Not just with the volleyball skill itself, and the X's and O's, but the program as a whole – the culture, the staff, the athletes, etc.
I want to make sure that we each continue to grow in the right direction to be the best we can for ourselves, each other, the program and this great University. I am excited for the future of this program and want to continue to make history for UL."
Her high-energy style of play attracted a single-season total attendance record (6,446) to Earl K. Long Gym during the 2022 season. Then the crowning achievement to date came in December 2022 when Louisiana competed in a national postseason event for the first time ever, taking part in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) in Edinburg, Texas.
Louisiana posted a 15-13 mark, the second consecutive season with a winning record under Gray's guidance, in the 2022 season. The Ragin' Cajuns picked up their signature non-conference win of Gray's tenure with a straight sets sweep of the SEC's Alabama at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational in September and later closed the regular season strong winning five of their last eight outings before advancing into the quarterfinals at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
Gray was successful in significantly improving the team's RPI in her second season, staying in the Top 150 throughout the season and standing at No. 127 entering the postseason.
On the court, Year 2 was highlighted by senior Kelsey Bennett eclipsing both 1,000 career kills and digs, the team ranking Top 100 nationally in blocking at over two blocks per set (252 total, 2.3/set) and Cami Hicks earning All-Sun Belt Conference recognition after a 100-plus blocks campaign. Off the court, an extensive renovation to Earl K. Long Gym - which included a state-of-the-art Taraflex court and Daktronics videoboard - was completed turning the Ragin' Cajuns' home into one of the premier volleyball-specific venues in the country.
With preparations for the upcoming spring practice session and her third season in 2023 beginning soon, Gray took a moment to reflect upon the Ragin' Cajuns historic season and offer insight into plans for continuing to build upon the momentum.
Q: Starting with how the season finished, can you put into words what the importance of the program's appearance in the NIVC and competing in December was?
KG: "Competing in the NIVC was extremely important for the direction we desire to take this program. It's foreign to this team to compete past the conference tournament and if we want to start playing in the NCAA Tournament, we have to start somewhere. I think the NIVC is that place to get them familiar with it. If you look at all the teams who have done well in or won the NIVC, they eventually progressed on to the NCAA Tournament."
Q: The won-loss record doesn't tell the entire story, so how would you evaluate the program's performance in the 2022 season as a whole?
KG: "As a whole, I am very proud of this team and what they accomplished this year. Our record might not have shown it, but we had a much tougher schedule than the year prior. We competed against some high-level teams, we swept Alabama, and advanced to a national postseason tournament for the first time in program history. I'd say we took a step in the right direction."
Q: It was the final season for Kelsey Bennett as a Ragin' Cajun. Can you describe the impact she had in the two seasons you spent with her?
KG: "Kelsey is a kid you dream of having in your program. She is going to come in, work hard, and do what it takes for the team to be their best. She is a lead-by-example individual but will say something if needed and when she does, everyone knows she means business.
I remember the first time Kelsey and I sat down and talked once I got this job. From that conversation, she exceeded all expectations I had for her as a player and leader for this program. I am truly going to miss her presence and voice in this program."
Q: The team ranked Top 5 within the Sun Belt and Top 100 nationally in blocking. What were the keys to that success?
KG: "At the conclusion of last season I thought that we were much better at blocking than what our numbers showed. Therefore, one of our goals this season was to be one of the top blocking teams in conference. We knew we had the talent in the student-athletes. We even added two more very talented blockers. Plus, we have a great coach to teach them. Jazymne (Johnson) does a phenomenal job developing them where we have put ourselves at the top."
Q: Were there any players who stepped up or exceeded your expectations?
KG: "There are a few players that come to mind. Cami Hicks did an outstanding job this year. I would say she is the most improved player over the last year-and-a-half since our staff arrived here. She set goals, one them being to make all-conference and seeing her receive that award was awesome.
Celeste Darling is another. I knew she was going to come in and help us immediately because of the program she just came from (NCAA Sweet 16 Houston). She most definitely exceeded my expectations; she was both an offensive and defensive threat for us.
I think in terms of someone stepping up, the first person that comes to mind is Paige Guidry. Paige hadn't stepped into that libero role before – she has always been an outside hitter. For her to step up when Jordan was injured and win over that role for the remainder of the year was awesome to see as a coach. She was willing to do what it took for the team to be successful.
Lastly, I would say Lauryn Hill. Even though her numbers didn't always show it, stepping into a big role as a freshman is not always easy. Overall, I think she did a phenomenal job and brought a lot to this team. We are excited to have the opportunity to develop her more this spring and watch her grown into the player we know she is."
Q: Coco Gillett closed the season with nine consecutive double-doubles. What did you see from her performance that led to the strong finish.
KG: "Coco is just a competitive player in general. She is willing to do whatever it takes to go win. She will sacrifice her body to get a ball up and she will be vocal in wanting to get ball after ball from her setters."
Q: Because of injuries you had several different lineups throughout the season. How was your coaching staff able to adjust and how beneficial was it for many players to gain experience at different positions?
KG: "This was actually one of the most difficult things we did this year. There is both good and difficult that comes from this. It is great to have different lineups and players being able to play in all different positions gaining that experience. But at the same time, it can be challenging because the team isn't able to have that consistency."
Q: The crowd support this season produced a new program record for total attendance in a single season. Describe the impact that has on the atmosphere at E.K. Long.
KG: "I hope our fans – and all fans for that matter – know that impact that they bring to a match. When I say we can't win some of those matches without them, I truly mean it.
The atmosphere they are able to bring to EK is unlike any other we play in. I absolutely love the energy they bring.
I hope that we can continue to build a winning program that people are proud to be a part of, where they want to continue to come not only watch us play but to be a part of something special."
Q: Looking ahead to the 2023 season, what are the areas within the program that your coaching staff will be focusing on?
KG: "Just like every other year at this time, I am reflecting on the season and how we can be better in all areas. Not just with the volleyball skill itself, and the X's and O's, but the program as a whole – the culture, the staff, the athletes, etc.
I want to make sure that we each continue to grow in the right direction to be the best we can for ourselves, each other, the program and this great University. I am excited for the future of this program and want to continue to make history for UL."
-- RaginCajuns.com --
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
OH/L
/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
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