University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, August 26
East Lansing, Mich.
11:00 a.m. (CDT)
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
1-0
3
vs
2
Eastern Michigan
0-1
1
2
3
4
5
F
Louisiana
21
17
25
25
15
3
Eastern Michigan
25
25
17
22
13
2
Ragin’ Cajuns Battle Back, Collect Reverse Sweep in 2022 Volleyball Opener
8/26/2022 4:31:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana outworks Eastern Michigan over the final three sets for season-opening triumph
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team captured a reverse sweep in the 2022 season opener on Friday, August 26, claiming a 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13) win over Eastern Michigan in the opening match of the Auto Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational at Michigan State's Breslin Center.
Kelsey Bennett and Coco Gillett led the charge as Louisiana (1-0) flipped the script after falling behind 2-0, with the duo combining for 23 kills during the comeback.
As a team, the Ragin' Cajuns held a decisive 39-23 edge in kills over the Eagles (0-1) in overcoming the early deficit.
Gillett delivered three kills during a key 7-1 run as Louisiana pulled away from a 13-all tie in the third set and extended the match. In the fourth set, Bennett scored each of the Ragin' Cajuns final three points – for the last of her seven kills in the frame – helping the team pull away after EMU closed to 22-20.
Louisiana took control of the fifth set when back-to-back blocks, both involving Kara Barnes, made it 8-4. After EMU rallied within a point, 11-10, it was Mya Wilson scoring a kill for a key side out that kept the Ragin' Cajuns one step ahead.
The win marked a season-opening triumph for Louisiana for the third straight season (2020-22). The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-0 in season openers with Kristi Gray.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Bennett produced 14 kills off 30 swings leading a trio of Ragin' Cajuns in double figures. Gillett and Wilson tallied 11 kills apiece.
The team lead in digs belonged to Bennett as she collected 18. Gillett also had a double-double as she added 16 digs to her stat line.
Barnes had a hand in eight blocks, finishing one off of her career-high total. Celeste Darling and Bennett joined her in the key blocks that opened the sizable lead in the fifth set.
Darling posted four blocks in the contest to go along with eight kills off 18 swings on a .278 average.
Setters Siena DeCambra (24 assists) and Reka Kotorman (22 assists) both reached the 20-assist mark in steering the Ragin' Cajuns' 6-2 attack.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to the court Friday evening facing Michigan State in a 6:00 p.m. (CDT) match to close out Opening Day of the 2022 season. The matchup with the host-Spartans can be viewed on B1G+ (subscription fees apply).
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.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Kelsey Bennett and Coco Gillett led the charge as Louisiana (1-0) flipped the script after falling behind 2-0, with the duo combining for 23 kills during the comeback.
As a team, the Ragin' Cajuns held a decisive 39-23 edge in kills over the Eagles (0-1) in overcoming the early deficit.
Gillett delivered three kills during a key 7-1 run as Louisiana pulled away from a 13-all tie in the third set and extended the match. In the fourth set, Bennett scored each of the Ragin' Cajuns final three points – for the last of her seven kills in the frame – helping the team pull away after EMU closed to 22-20.
Louisiana took control of the fifth set when back-to-back blocks, both involving Kara Barnes, made it 8-4. After EMU rallied within a point, 11-10, it was Mya Wilson scoring a kill for a key side out that kept the Ragin' Cajuns one step ahead.
The win marked a season-opening triumph for Louisiana for the third straight season (2020-22). The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-0 in season openers with Kristi Gray.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Bennett produced 14 kills off 30 swings leading a trio of Ragin' Cajuns in double figures. Gillett and Wilson tallied 11 kills apiece.
The team lead in digs belonged to Bennett as she collected 18. Gillett also had a double-double as she added 16 digs to her stat line.
Barnes had a hand in eight blocks, finishing one off of her career-high total. Celeste Darling and Bennett joined her in the key blocks that opened the sizable lead in the fifth set.
Darling posted four blocks in the contest to go along with eight kills off 18 swings on a .278 average.
Setters Siena DeCambra (24 assists) and Reka Kotorman (22 assists) both reached the 20-assist mark in steering the Ragin' Cajuns' 6-2 attack.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to the court Friday evening facing Michigan State in a 6:00 p.m. (CDT) match to close out Opening Day of the 2022 season. The matchup with the host-Spartans can be viewed on B1G+ (subscription fees apply).
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.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
LA
EMU
Kills
63
53
Errors
30
26
Attempts
176
156
Hitting %
.188
.173
Points
79.0
72.0
Assists
56
48
Aces
5
4
Blocks
11.0
15.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballRS/MB
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