University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, September 22
Troy, Ala.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
Troy
Louisiana Volleyball Dives Into Sun Belt Conference Play on the Road in Troy
9/21/2022 11:10:00 AM | Volleyball
Ragin’ Cajuns seek to continue momentum built in strong finish to non-conference play
TROY, Ala. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team opens Sun Belt Conference play on the road in Troy, Alabama meeting the host-Troy Trojans in a two-match series from Thursday-Friday, Sept. 22-23 inside Trojan Arena.
Â
Louisiana (6-3) and Troy (6-6) are slated to meet at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) both nights, with live coverage available on ESPN+.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns, who concluded non-conference play last weekend with a 2-0 run at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational highlighted by a straight sets sweep of Alabama, are beginning a season-ending stretch of Sun Belt matches that wraps up November 11-12 at App State.
Â
HOW TO FOLLOW
at Troy | Thursday, September 22, 6:00 p.m. (CDT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
Â
at Troy | Friday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. (CDT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
Â
SERIES HISTORY
- Troy: Troy leads, 13-12 | Last match: L, 0-3 on 10/23/2021 at Earl K. Long Gym
Sun Belt Matches: Troy leads, 12-8 | Current Streak: Lost 3
Â
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
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.
Â
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.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns home to Earl K. Long Gym for its Sun Belt Conference home opener from Thursday-Friday, September 29-30, hosting Arkansas State in a two-match series.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns and Red Wolves are scheduled to meet Thursday (Sept. 29) at 6:00 p.m. and Friday (Sept. 30) at 4:00 p.m. Both matches are being televised on ESPN+.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
Â
Louisiana (6-3) and Troy (6-6) are slated to meet at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) both nights, with live coverage available on ESPN+.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns, who concluded non-conference play last weekend with a 2-0 run at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational highlighted by a straight sets sweep of Alabama, are beginning a season-ending stretch of Sun Belt matches that wraps up November 11-12 at App State.
Â
HOW TO FOLLOW
at Troy | Thursday, September 22, 6:00 p.m. (CDT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
Â
at Troy | Friday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. (CDT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
Â
SERIES HISTORY
- Troy: Troy leads, 13-12 | Last match: L, 0-3 on 10/23/2021 at Earl K. Long Gym
Sun Belt Matches: Troy leads, 12-8 | Current Streak: Lost 3
Â
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
- Another Year Around the Sun: The Sun Belt-opening series at Troy marks the start of Louisiana's 32nd season of competition in the conference (1991-present).
- Momentum Built: Louisiana is coming off its best weekend performance to date, averaging 13.3 kills per set on a .280 hitting percentage and limiting the opposition to a paltry .058 hitting percentage at the TCU Horned Frog Invitational.
- Consistency is Key: The 2-0 showing at TCU's Horned Frog Invitational secured a winning non-conference record for the second straight season with head coach Kristi Gray. The strong finish to non-conference play was highlighted by a straight sets sweep of Alabama – the program's first win over an SEC foe since 2001.
- Steering the Ship: Once again the Ragin' Cajuns offense is led by fifth-year senior outside hitter Kelsey Bennett who's averaging 3.6 kills per set (126 total) on a .280 hitting percentage. Bennett, who eclipsed 1,000 career kills and digs on the team's home-opening day (Sept. 2), was named MVP of the TCU Horned Frog Invitational after accumulating 34 kills (4.9/set) and a tournament-leading 38 points.
- Blocking Barrage: Sophomore middle blocker Cami Hicks totaled 15 blocks over seven sets, averaging 2.1 per set, last weekend in Fort Worth and earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The performance moved her into the team lead with 38 blocks (8 BS, 30 BA).Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns home to Earl K. Long Gym for its Sun Belt Conference home opener from Thursday-Friday, September 29-30, hosting Arkansas State in a two-match series.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns and Red Wolves are scheduled to meet Thursday (Sept. 29) at 6:00 p.m. and Friday (Sept. 30) at 4:00 p.m. Both matches are being televised on ESPN+.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ VolleyballKristi Gray Media Availability (Sep 22, 2025)
Monday, September 22
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Sep 15, 2025)
Monday, September 15
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Sep 8, 2025)
Monday, September 08
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Sept 1, 2025)
Monday, September 01
