University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ragin’ Cajuns Rebound to Top Green Wave in Exhibition Match
8/17/2023 9:33:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana reversed course in final two sets to come away victorious in final tune-up
LAFAYETTE – A combined 21 kills from Emery Judkins and Celeste Darling sparked the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team's come-from-behind 2-1 (16-25, 25-14, 27-25) win over Tulane in an exhibition match at Earl K. Long Gym on Thursday, August 17.
Judkins tallied a match-high 11 kills, surging to the finish line with six kills in the decisive third set. Darling contributed 10 kills in the contest, culminating with the match-clinching point. The duo led Louisiana to a 38-35 advantage in kills.
Mya Wilson and Shyia Richardson contributed seven and six kills, respectively. Richardson hauled in a team-leading 16 digs and freshman Kennedy Gustafson joined her in double digits with 10 digs.
Kara Barnes and Siena DeCambra each had a hand in two blocks. Richardson and Chelsea George each served up a pair of aces. DeCambra handed out 27 assists and added eight digs to her stat line.
Louisiana flipped the momentum in its favor in the second set when Richardson served out the remainder of an 8-0 run that opened a 13-8 lead. The Cajuns led by at least five points the rest of the way and began to pull away when back-to-back kills from Darling stretched the lead to 17-10.
Tulane rallied from a 23-19 deficit in the third set with four answered points and would take the frame to extra points when an Orsula Staka kill evened the score at 24-all. Judkins' sixth and final kill of the set followed, assuring the Ragin' Cajuns of control in the extended action.
The Green Wave's offense was led by Amarachi Osuji's six kills, the defense paced by three blocks from Staka and 11 digs from Lauryn Burrows and eight different players recorded an ace.
LOOKING AHEAD
The third season of the Kristi Gray era officially begins Friday-Sunday, August 25-27 when Louisiana travels to Starkville, Mississippi to compete in the StarkVegas Classic hosted by Mississippi State at the Newell-Grissom Building.
The Ragin' Cajuns season opener is set for Friday, August 25 at 3:00 p.m. vs. Northwestern State, followed by a 2:00 p.m. matchup with Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, August 26 and the tournament finale against Mississippi State at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.
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.
Judkins tallied a match-high 11 kills, surging to the finish line with six kills in the decisive third set. Darling contributed 10 kills in the contest, culminating with the match-clinching point. The duo led Louisiana to a 38-35 advantage in kills.
Mya Wilson and Shyia Richardson contributed seven and six kills, respectively. Richardson hauled in a team-leading 16 digs and freshman Kennedy Gustafson joined her in double digits with 10 digs.
Kara Barnes and Siena DeCambra each had a hand in two blocks. Richardson and Chelsea George each served up a pair of aces. DeCambra handed out 27 assists and added eight digs to her stat line.
Louisiana flipped the momentum in its favor in the second set when Richardson served out the remainder of an 8-0 run that opened a 13-8 lead. The Cajuns led by at least five points the rest of the way and began to pull away when back-to-back kills from Darling stretched the lead to 17-10.
Tulane rallied from a 23-19 deficit in the third set with four answered points and would take the frame to extra points when an Orsula Staka kill evened the score at 24-all. Judkins' sixth and final kill of the set followed, assuring the Ragin' Cajuns of control in the extended action.
The Green Wave's offense was led by Amarachi Osuji's six kills, the defense paced by three blocks from Staka and 11 digs from Lauryn Burrows and eight different players recorded an ace.
LOOKING AHEAD
The third season of the Kristi Gray era officially begins Friday-Sunday, August 25-27 when Louisiana travels to Starkville, Mississippi to compete in the StarkVegas Classic hosted by Mississippi State at the Newell-Grissom Building.
The Ragin' Cajuns season opener is set for Friday, August 25 at 3:00 p.m. vs. Northwestern State, followed by a 2:00 p.m. matchup with Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, August 26 and the tournament finale against Mississippi State at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.
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 -
Players Mentioned
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 10, 2025)
Monday, November 10
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Nov 3, 2025)
Monday, November 03
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Kristi Gray Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20















