University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, November 2
Hattiesburg, Miss.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
15-12, 6-7SBC
1
at
3
Southern Miss
11-13, 6-7SBC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 29 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 1 |
| Southern Miss | 31 | 14 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Golden Eagles Slip Past Cajuns in Back-and-Forth Battle
11/2/2023 10:35:00 PM | Volleyball
Southern Miss found key momentum swings to capture series opener from Louisiana
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team stockpiled stats but it was Southern Miss which found the timely rallies to come away with a 3-1 (31-29, 14-25, 25-21, 25-21) win on Thursday, November 2 at the USM Wellness Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
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The victory by the Golden Eagles (11-13, 6-7 Sun Belt) sets up a winner-take-all scenario for the No. 4 seed out of the SBC West Division when the rematch with the Ragin' Cajuns (15-12, 6-7 Sun Belt) takes place on Friday, November 3.
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Louisiana held a 64-54 edge in kills, a 61-52 advantage in assists and out-dug USM by a 90-75 count. The Golden Eagles countered with a critical 10.0-6.5 lead in blocks, posting six blocks after the Cajuns leveled the match.
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Southern Miss was able to swing the match in its favor by overcoming a seven-point deficit in the opening set, eventually winning in extra points, and by erasing a deficit midway through Set 3.
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The Ragin' Cajuns offense dominated the first half of the match with a 39-27 advantage in kills, however the Golden Eagles flipped the script the back half slowing UL down and overtaking the visitors 27-25 in kills.
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The loss overshadowed season-best performances from Louisiana's Abby Cunningham who scored 16 kills and Mio Yamamoto who reached the 30-dig mark for the first time as a Ragin' Cajun.
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The Cajuns had their SBC-best three-match win streak snapped while the Golden Eagles increased their winning streak to four matches.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Behind the hot start from Mya Wilson, who finished with eight kills in Set 1, the Cajuns opened a 16-9 lead in Set 1 behind four of those scores. Wilson and Shyia Richardson went back-to-back for kills and a 20-15 lead, only to see USM roll off a 7-2 run that evened the score and eventually led to extra points.
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Richardson (6) and Cunningham (4) combined for 10 kills and the Cajuns hit .417 in running away with Set 2. A pair of scoring runs of six or more points cemented the win that evened the match, the latter a seven-point spurt capped off by kills from Wilson, Cunningham and Wilson again that made it 20-9.
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UL and USM traded scoring jabs early in Set 3, the Cajuns getting three kills from Cunningham during a 5-0 spurt that opened an 11-9 lead. A combo block from Wilson and Cami Hicks upped the lead back to three points, at 16-13, before the Golden Eagles posted a 4-0 run to flip the momentum.
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Back-to-back Richardson kills gave UL a temporary boost and an 18-17 lead, but three untimely miscues followed in another four-point USM run that gave the hosts a 21-18 advantage.
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Unlike the previous three sets the Cajuns weren't able to answer back early USM runs. A block, kill and an ace lifted the Golden Eagles into a 7-6 lead in Set 4. A pair of Cunningham kills forged a tie through 8-all, but an untimely service error sparked a 4-0 USM run and the Cajuns would trail the rest of the match.
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LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Richardson's team-high 18 kills marked her season-best fifth straight match with double-digit kills. It was the third straight match she registered 15-plus kills.
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Cunningham scored four, five and six kills from the second through sets, respectively, as she bested her previous season-best of 13 kills at Texas State.
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Wilson joined Cunningham in setting a season-high in kills with her 13 scores. The senior opposite hitter was the Cajuns primary source in the first two frames, landing 12 kills off of only 23 swings.
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Hicks and Kara Barnes were the leaders at the net with four and three blocks, respectively.
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Setter Siena DeCambra turned in another impressive double-double of 46 assists and 13 digs, marking the sixth consecutive SBC series she's had at least one double-double.
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The 31 digs from Yamamoto marked the seventh time in the past nine matches she's scooped 20-plus. Cunningham (14) and Richardson (11) also hit double figures in digs.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Southern Miss conclude a two-match Sun Belt series at the USM Wellness Center on Friday, November 3, with a match that will determine which squad is the No. 4 and No. 5 in the SBC Tournament.
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First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with live video coverage available on ESPN+ and live stats accessible at CajunStats.com.
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Either team that claims the victory on Friday night finishes as the SBC West No. 4 seed. Louisiana has another opportunity to reach a new benchmark for wins in the Kristi Gray era.
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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.
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The victory by the Golden Eagles (11-13, 6-7 Sun Belt) sets up a winner-take-all scenario for the No. 4 seed out of the SBC West Division when the rematch with the Ragin' Cajuns (15-12, 6-7 Sun Belt) takes place on Friday, November 3.
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Louisiana held a 64-54 edge in kills, a 61-52 advantage in assists and out-dug USM by a 90-75 count. The Golden Eagles countered with a critical 10.0-6.5 lead in blocks, posting six blocks after the Cajuns leveled the match.
Â
Southern Miss was able to swing the match in its favor by overcoming a seven-point deficit in the opening set, eventually winning in extra points, and by erasing a deficit midway through Set 3.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns offense dominated the first half of the match with a 39-27 advantage in kills, however the Golden Eagles flipped the script the back half slowing UL down and overtaking the visitors 27-25 in kills.
Â
The loss overshadowed season-best performances from Louisiana's Abby Cunningham who scored 16 kills and Mio Yamamoto who reached the 30-dig mark for the first time as a Ragin' Cajun.
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The Cajuns had their SBC-best three-match win streak snapped while the Golden Eagles increased their winning streak to four matches.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Behind the hot start from Mya Wilson, who finished with eight kills in Set 1, the Cajuns opened a 16-9 lead in Set 1 behind four of those scores. Wilson and Shyia Richardson went back-to-back for kills and a 20-15 lead, only to see USM roll off a 7-2 run that evened the score and eventually led to extra points.
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Richardson (6) and Cunningham (4) combined for 10 kills and the Cajuns hit .417 in running away with Set 2. A pair of scoring runs of six or more points cemented the win that evened the match, the latter a seven-point spurt capped off by kills from Wilson, Cunningham and Wilson again that made it 20-9.
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UL and USM traded scoring jabs early in Set 3, the Cajuns getting three kills from Cunningham during a 5-0 spurt that opened an 11-9 lead. A combo block from Wilson and Cami Hicks upped the lead back to three points, at 16-13, before the Golden Eagles posted a 4-0 run to flip the momentum.
Â
Back-to-back Richardson kills gave UL a temporary boost and an 18-17 lead, but three untimely miscues followed in another four-point USM run that gave the hosts a 21-18 advantage.
Â
Unlike the previous three sets the Cajuns weren't able to answer back early USM runs. A block, kill and an ace lifted the Golden Eagles into a 7-6 lead in Set 4. A pair of Cunningham kills forged a tie through 8-all, but an untimely service error sparked a 4-0 USM run and the Cajuns would trail the rest of the match.
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LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Richardson's team-high 18 kills marked her season-best fifth straight match with double-digit kills. It was the third straight match she registered 15-plus kills.
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Cunningham scored four, five and six kills from the second through sets, respectively, as she bested her previous season-best of 13 kills at Texas State.
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Wilson joined Cunningham in setting a season-high in kills with her 13 scores. The senior opposite hitter was the Cajuns primary source in the first two frames, landing 12 kills off of only 23 swings.
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Hicks and Kara Barnes were the leaders at the net with four and three blocks, respectively.
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Setter Siena DeCambra turned in another impressive double-double of 46 assists and 13 digs, marking the sixth consecutive SBC series she's had at least one double-double.
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The 31 digs from Yamamoto marked the seventh time in the past nine matches she's scooped 20-plus. Cunningham (14) and Richardson (11) also hit double figures in digs.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Southern Miss conclude a two-match Sun Belt series at the USM Wellness Center on Friday, November 3, with a match that will determine which squad is the No. 4 and No. 5 in the SBC Tournament.
Â
First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with live video coverage available on ESPN+ and live stats accessible at CajunStats.com.
Â
Either team that claims the victory on Friday night finishes as the SBC West No. 4 seed. Louisiana has another opportunity to reach a new benchmark for wins in the Kristi Gray era.
 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.
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.
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UL
USM
Kills
64
54
Errors
25
18
Attempts
175
174
Hitting %
.223
.207
Points
74.5
71.0
Assists
61
52
Aces
4
7
Blocks
6.5
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills
18
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
16
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
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