University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Friday, September 16
Fort Worth, Texas
1:00 p.m.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

vs

Alabama

Game Coverage:
Live Stats
VB Group at Texas A&M 09.09.22

Back in Lone Star State, Louisiana Volleyball to Finish Non-Conference Play

9/15/2022 11:38:00 AM | Volleyball

Live StatsTwitter UpdatesMatch Notes (PDF)

Ragin’ Cajuns competing in the DFW metroplex at TCU’s Horned Frog Invitational

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team concludes non-conference play with matchups against Alabama and Abilene Christian, contests that are part of TCU's Horned Frog Invitational from Friday-Saturday, Sept. 16-17 at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns (4-3) face Alabama (5-4) on Friday (September 16) at 1:00 p.m. and take on Abilene Christian (3-6) on Saturday (September 17) at 3:30 p.m.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
vs. Alabama | Friday, September 16, 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
Live Stats | Twitter Updates
 
vs. Abilene Christian | Saturday, September 17, 3:30 p.m. (CDT)
Live Stats | Twitter Updates
 
SERIES HISTORY
- Alabama: Alabama leads, 2-0 | Last match: L, 2-3 on 9/21/1990 in New Orleans, La.
Streak: Lost 2
- Abilene Christian: Louisiana leads, 1-0 | Last match: W, 3-1 on 10/27/2014 at Earl K. Long Gym
Streak: Won 1
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
  1. Hello, Again: For the second straight weekend the Ragin' Cajuns are back in the state of Texas – familiar territory for over half of the roster (nine players) who hail from the Lone Star state. Louisiana battled Texas A&M in College Station last Friday on the previous trip.
  2. Final Tune-Up: The TCU Horned Frog Invitational represents the last outing before the Ragin' Cajuns begin competing for a conference championship. Next weekend, Louisiana jumps into Sun Belt Conference play for good, starting with a road trip to Troy (Sept. 22-23).
  3. Consistency is Key: Louisiana seeks a winning non-conference record for the second straight season with head coach Kristi Gray (went 5-3 in 2021).
  4. Proven Performer: Fifth-year senior outside hitter Kelsey Bennett has generated 1,000-plus kills and digs in her collegiate career, and is the owner of 38 career double-doubles. The trip to Fort Worth marks the final time she competes near her hometown of Allen, Texas (55 miles out).
  5. Barnes on the Block: Middle blocker Kara Barnes is the team's leader in blocks (28, 0.93/set) and currently ranks second in kills per set (2.3). Also competing near her hometown (Rowlett), she enters the TCU Horned Frog Invitational two (2) blocks shy of reaching 200 career blocks.
 
NEW FACES
- Kristi Gray welcomed five newcomers to the program in the offseason. Transfers Mya Wilson (Georgia Southern), Paige Guidry (Nicholls), Celeste Darling (Houston) and Paola Garcia (UNLV), plus incoming freshman Lauryn Hill (Frisco, Texas/Liberty HS) as the newest members of the squad.
- Wilson hit .220-plus and accumulated at least 150 kills and 50 blocks each season at Georgia Southern (2019-21). Darling, who returns to Louisiana after competing as a freshman with the Ragin' Cajuns in 2019, helped lead Houston to the American Athletic Conference West Division title in the 2020-21 season and a 20-win season the following fall campaign.
 
PRESEASON PRAISE
Kelsey Bennett and Coco Gillett, both All-Sun Belt Conference selections in 2021, represented Louisiana on the 2022 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Volleyball team.
 
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana kicks off Sun Belt Conference play with a two-match series on the road at Troy from Thursday-Friday, Sept. 22-23.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns and Trojans are slated to meet at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) both nights from the Trojan Arena in Troy, Alabama. The matches are being broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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 -
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Next Event

Alabama
W, 3-0

Sep 16 (Fri)

1:00 p.m.
Box ScoreRecapBox Score (PDF)PreviewLive stats
Full Schedule

Players Mentioned

10

Kara Barnes

MB
/ Volleyball
6

Kelsey Bennett

OH
/ Volleyball
15

Celeste Darling

RS
/ Volleyball
11

Paola Garcia

DS
/ Volleyball
23

Coco Gillett

OH/L
/ Volleyball
8

Paige Guidry

OH
/ Volleyball
2

Lauryn Hill

OH
/ Volleyball
7

Mya Wilson

RS/MB
/ Volleyball

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