University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, October 7
San Marcos, Texas
2:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
12-8, 3-3SBC
3
at
2
Texas State
10-7, 3-3SBC
1
2
3
4
5
F
Louisiana
14
32
25
21
15
3
Texas State
25
30
15
25
9
2
Cajuns Bounce Back, Earn Five-Set Victory in San Marcos
10/7/2023 5:37:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana makes quick recovery and finishes the comeback with strong defense
SAN MARCOS, Texas – A marathon set victory that evened the match and a dominant defensive effort in the match-deciding frame led the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team to a 3-2 (14-25, 32-30, 25-15, 21-25, 15-9) win over Texas State on Saturday, October 7 at Strahan Arena in San Marcos, Texas.
Louisiana (12-8, 3-3 Sun Belt) threw up four blocks and held Texas State (10-7, 3-3 Sun Belt) to five kills and a negative hitting percentage (-.059) in finishing off the victory in the decisive fifth set.
The Cajuns gained control of Set 5 when Mya Wilson had a hand in back-to-back blocks that opened a 3-1 lead – and the visitors wouldn't trail again. Wilson later joined Kara Barnes on a block at the side switch for the first of three straight points that extended UL's lead to 10-5.
After a Samantha Wunsch kill pulled Texas State within three, at 12-9, the Ragin' Cajuns won the final three rallies of the match, fittingly enough finishing it off with a combo block from Shyia Richardson and Cami Hicks.
The win allowed Louisiana to regain a tie with Texas State for third place within the Sun Belt West Division. It also ended a five-match losing streak to the Bobcats and was the Cajuns second win in the past three series meetings at Strahan Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's ability to immediately shake off a defeat in the opening set this time around – and avoid a two-set deficit similar to Friday night – proved key in landing the victory which earned a series split with the Bobcats.
Despite seeing a 20-12 lead in Set 2 evaporate which led to playing extra points, the Cajuns wouldn't be denied the opportunity to pull even. Barnes and Siena DeCambra combined for a block to allow UL to fight off a third set point, evening the score at 30-all, before Richardson's ninth and final kill of the stanza gave the Cajuns the momentum-changing set point.
For the second straight day it was freshman Abby Cunningham providing a spark off the bench, scoring a kill on all seven of her swings in Set 3 as Louisiana coasted to the 25-15 win which opened a match lead.
The Bobcats bought additional time after a 16-kill performance in Set 4 held off the Ragin' Cajuns.
Wilson's return to the court was the difference maker in the final outcome as she had a hand in three blocks in Set 5, the first pair keeping alive a quick 4-0 answer to Texas State claiming the first rally.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Richardson led a quartet of Ragin' Cajuns with double-figure kills as she recorded a season- and career-high tying 21 kills. Cunningham (13 kills), Barnes (10 kills) and Hicks (10 kills) were the others in double figures.
The blocking efforts were led by a team-best four from Hicks and three apiece from Barnes, Richardson and Wilson.
Louisiana out-dug Texas State 82-69 behind the season-best efforts of Mio Yamamoto who rounded up a match-leading 29 digs.
Setter Siena DeCambra delivered an impressive double-double of 51 assists and 11 digs, and also found the floor for three dump kills. It was DeCambra's top assists total in SBC play and her third 50-plus effort of the season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to E.K. Long Gym and close out the first half of Sun Belt Conference play when they face South Alabama from Friday-Saturday, October 13-14 in a two-match series.
Louisiana and South Alabama are scheduled to open the series at 6:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 13), then conclude play on Saturday (Oct. 14) in a 1:00 p.m. match.
The Cajuns are celebrating Youth Groups Night on Friday, kicking off the festivities with a pre-match tailgate hosted by Hot 107.9 and concluding the night with a Halloween costume contest at intermission. Saturday's match serves as Louisiana's Dig Pink Match with a survivor recognition and pink hair tie giveaway.
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.
Louisiana (12-8, 3-3 Sun Belt) threw up four blocks and held Texas State (10-7, 3-3 Sun Belt) to five kills and a negative hitting percentage (-.059) in finishing off the victory in the decisive fifth set.
The Cajuns gained control of Set 5 when Mya Wilson had a hand in back-to-back blocks that opened a 3-1 lead – and the visitors wouldn't trail again. Wilson later joined Kara Barnes on a block at the side switch for the first of three straight points that extended UL's lead to 10-5.
After a Samantha Wunsch kill pulled Texas State within three, at 12-9, the Ragin' Cajuns won the final three rallies of the match, fittingly enough finishing it off with a combo block from Shyia Richardson and Cami Hicks.
The win allowed Louisiana to regain a tie with Texas State for third place within the Sun Belt West Division. It also ended a five-match losing streak to the Bobcats and was the Cajuns second win in the past three series meetings at Strahan Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's ability to immediately shake off a defeat in the opening set this time around – and avoid a two-set deficit similar to Friday night – proved key in landing the victory which earned a series split with the Bobcats.
Despite seeing a 20-12 lead in Set 2 evaporate which led to playing extra points, the Cajuns wouldn't be denied the opportunity to pull even. Barnes and Siena DeCambra combined for a block to allow UL to fight off a third set point, evening the score at 30-all, before Richardson's ninth and final kill of the stanza gave the Cajuns the momentum-changing set point.
For the second straight day it was freshman Abby Cunningham providing a spark off the bench, scoring a kill on all seven of her swings in Set 3 as Louisiana coasted to the 25-15 win which opened a match lead.
The Bobcats bought additional time after a 16-kill performance in Set 4 held off the Ragin' Cajuns.
Wilson's return to the court was the difference maker in the final outcome as she had a hand in three blocks in Set 5, the first pair keeping alive a quick 4-0 answer to Texas State claiming the first rally.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Richardson led a quartet of Ragin' Cajuns with double-figure kills as she recorded a season- and career-high tying 21 kills. Cunningham (13 kills), Barnes (10 kills) and Hicks (10 kills) were the others in double figures.
The blocking efforts were led by a team-best four from Hicks and three apiece from Barnes, Richardson and Wilson.
Louisiana out-dug Texas State 82-69 behind the season-best efforts of Mio Yamamoto who rounded up a match-leading 29 digs.
Setter Siena DeCambra delivered an impressive double-double of 51 assists and 11 digs, and also found the floor for three dump kills. It was DeCambra's top assists total in SBC play and her third 50-plus effort of the season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to E.K. Long Gym and close out the first half of Sun Belt Conference play when they face South Alabama from Friday-Saturday, October 13-14 in a two-match series.
Louisiana and South Alabama are scheduled to open the series at 6:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 13), then conclude play on Saturday (Oct. 14) in a 1:00 p.m. match.
The Cajuns are celebrating Youth Groups Night on Friday, kicking off the festivities with a pre-match tailgate hosted by Hot 107.9 and concluding the night with a Halloween costume contest at intermission. Saturday's match serves as Louisiana's Dig Pink Match with a survivor recognition and pink hair tie giveaway.
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
UL
TXST
Kills
67
67
Errors
27
22
Attempts
181
184
Hitting %
.221
.245
Points
79.0
83.0
Assists
61
64
Aces
3
3
Blocks
8.0
13.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
21
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballKristi 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
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Aug 25, 2025)
Monday, August 25
