University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, September 29
Jonesboro, Ark.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
10-7, 1-2SBC
3
at
0
Arkansas State
11-4, 1-2SBC
1
2
3
F
Louisiana
25
25
25
3
Arkansas State
11
23
18
0
Ragin’ Cajuns Respond, Sweeping ASU to Start Road Trip
9/29/2023 9:18:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana controlled tempo in taking Arkansas State out of its comfort zone
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team quickly put the Sun Belt opening weekend setback behind themselves with a resounding response, posting a straight sets sweep (25-11, 25-23, 25-18) of Arkansas State on Friday, September 29 at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Louisiana (10-7, 1-2 Sun Belt) delivered a focused and efficient attack throughout the contest, finishing with 43 kills against only 10 errors and posting an overall .295 hitting percentage. The Ragin' Cajuns delivered a stern opening statement, needing only 28 swings for 13 kills while hitting .393 in the opening set.
With the return of a tough service and a disciplined defensive effort the Ragin' Cajuns held Arkansas State (11-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) to a .069 hitting percentage – forcing the Red Wolves into 26 attack errors.
The Cajuns dominated in the middle of the court with middle blockers Kara Barnes and Cami Hicks combining for 15 kills to go along with exceptionally strong nights from Celeste Darling and Mya Wilson who combined for 19 kills on the ends of the net.
Louisiana's path to the sweep was paved by critical runs of at least four points in all three sets. The Cajuns swung the momentum in what looked like ASU's best chance to take a set, turning in a 5-0 run early in Set 2 to erase a 9-5 deficit.
The sweep secured UL's sixth consecutive win over ASU, extending the program's series-best winning streak. The Cajuns have now won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Red Wolves dating back to 2018.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's first step to breaking free in Set 1 came when Darling delivered back-to-back kills to create separation at 8-6. The knockout blow was delivered during a 6-0 run that was finished off by the tough serve of Siena DeCambra which advanced the lead to 17-9.
Darling posted a block solo and Wilson scored on the slide to complete the pivotal 5-0 run in Set 2, lifting UL into a 10-9 lead. ASU collected a side out to briefly forge a tie at 10-all, however Darling and Hicks responded with back-to-back kills and the Cajuns never trailed again.
The Red Wolves would creep within a point, at 15-14 and 16-15, but each time Barnes was waiting with a kill. Louisiana sent ASU backpedaling when Maddi Fritz executed a dump kill and the defense forced a Red Wolves error that extended the lead to 21-17.
Emery Judkins provided the spark as the Cajuns shifted momentum in Set 3, using a kill to start and joining in on a block to end the 4-0 run that built an 11-5 advantage. UL answered each ASU side out and began to gain final separation when Hicks and Barnes went back-to-back on kills to extend the lead to 15-8.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Darling (11 kills, .348%), Barnes (9 kills, .333%), Wilson (8 kills, .368%) and Hicks (6 kills, .429%) each provided Louisiana with at least six kills on .300-plus hitting.
It was the 10th consecutive match with at least six kills for Darling who also collected her seventh double-digit effort of the season. Barnes and Wilson delivered their conference-best total in kills.
UL out-blocked ASU by a 7-5 count, paced by Darling, Hicks and Wilson who each had a hand in three blocks.
Mio Yamamoto scooped a match-high of 12 digs and added four assists to her stat line. Four other Cajuns collected seven-plus digs to help the visitors out-dig the Red Wolves (49-46).
Siena DeCambra returned to action and handed out 18 assists while running the 6-2 attack with Maddi Fritz who had 14 assists of her own.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Arkansas State return to the court of First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 to conclude the two-match Sun Belt series.
The Ragin' Cajuns look to secure the series sweep, even out their conference record and extend their series-best win streak over the Red Wolves (six straight wins entering Saturday).
A live broadcast of the match is available on ESPN+ while live stats can be accessed at CajunStats.com.
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 (10-7, 1-2 Sun Belt) delivered a focused and efficient attack throughout the contest, finishing with 43 kills against only 10 errors and posting an overall .295 hitting percentage. The Ragin' Cajuns delivered a stern opening statement, needing only 28 swings for 13 kills while hitting .393 in the opening set.
With the return of a tough service and a disciplined defensive effort the Ragin' Cajuns held Arkansas State (11-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) to a .069 hitting percentage – forcing the Red Wolves into 26 attack errors.
The Cajuns dominated in the middle of the court with middle blockers Kara Barnes and Cami Hicks combining for 15 kills to go along with exceptionally strong nights from Celeste Darling and Mya Wilson who combined for 19 kills on the ends of the net.
Louisiana's path to the sweep was paved by critical runs of at least four points in all three sets. The Cajuns swung the momentum in what looked like ASU's best chance to take a set, turning in a 5-0 run early in Set 2 to erase a 9-5 deficit.
The sweep secured UL's sixth consecutive win over ASU, extending the program's series-best winning streak. The Cajuns have now won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Red Wolves dating back to 2018.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's first step to breaking free in Set 1 came when Darling delivered back-to-back kills to create separation at 8-6. The knockout blow was delivered during a 6-0 run that was finished off by the tough serve of Siena DeCambra which advanced the lead to 17-9.
Darling posted a block solo and Wilson scored on the slide to complete the pivotal 5-0 run in Set 2, lifting UL into a 10-9 lead. ASU collected a side out to briefly forge a tie at 10-all, however Darling and Hicks responded with back-to-back kills and the Cajuns never trailed again.
The Red Wolves would creep within a point, at 15-14 and 16-15, but each time Barnes was waiting with a kill. Louisiana sent ASU backpedaling when Maddi Fritz executed a dump kill and the defense forced a Red Wolves error that extended the lead to 21-17.
Emery Judkins provided the spark as the Cajuns shifted momentum in Set 3, using a kill to start and joining in on a block to end the 4-0 run that built an 11-5 advantage. UL answered each ASU side out and began to gain final separation when Hicks and Barnes went back-to-back on kills to extend the lead to 15-8.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Darling (11 kills, .348%), Barnes (9 kills, .333%), Wilson (8 kills, .368%) and Hicks (6 kills, .429%) each provided Louisiana with at least six kills on .300-plus hitting.
It was the 10th consecutive match with at least six kills for Darling who also collected her seventh double-digit effort of the season. Barnes and Wilson delivered their conference-best total in kills.
UL out-blocked ASU by a 7-5 count, paced by Darling, Hicks and Wilson who each had a hand in three blocks.
Mio Yamamoto scooped a match-high of 12 digs and added four assists to her stat line. Four other Cajuns collected seven-plus digs to help the visitors out-dig the Red Wolves (49-46).
Siena DeCambra returned to action and handed out 18 assists while running the 6-2 attack with Maddi Fritz who had 14 assists of her own.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Arkansas State return to the court of First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 to conclude the two-match Sun Belt series.
The Ragin' Cajuns look to secure the series sweep, even out their conference record and extend their series-best win streak over the Red Wolves (six straight wins entering Saturday).
A live broadcast of the match is available on ESPN+ while live stats can be accessed at CajunStats.com.
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
ASU
Kills
43
34
Errors
10
26
Attempts
112
116
Hitting %
.295
.069
Points
52.0
40.0
Assists
39
32
Aces
2
1
Blocks
7.0
5.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballOPP
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
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/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ VolleyballOPP
/ Volleyball
L
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