University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, September 30
Jonesboro, Ark.
1:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
11-7, 2-2SBC
3
at
1
Arkansas State
11-5, 1-3SBC
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
29
31
25
25
3
Arkansas State
27
33
18
17
1
Louisiana Earns Series Sweep in Jonesboro
9/30/2023 6:04:00 PM | Volleyball
Ragin’ Cajuns outlast Arkansas State after starting the day with back-to-back extra point battles
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team picked up a series sweep, evened its conference record and extended its series-best win streak over Arkansas State following a hard-fought 3-1 (29-27, 31-33, 25-18, 25-17) win on Saturday, September 30 at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The Ragin' Cajuns (11-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) pulled off late comebacks and went deep into extra points in order to be even with the Red Wolves (11-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) after the first two sets – which took over 1-1/2 hours to complete. The two teams slugged out 31 ties and 12 lead changes during the split.
Getting to the finish line was a smoother process for Louisiana, with the team scoring 14 kills in each of the last two sets while limiting ASU to 10 both times, resulting in back-to-back, seven-plus point set victories that wrapped up the match and series sweep.
Guided by the trio of Shyia Richardson (16 kills), Celeste Darling (14 kills) and Cami Hicks (12 kills), who each scored double figures in kills, the Ragin' Cajuns overcame the defensive slugfest that saw the two teams combine for 177 digs (89-88 in favor of ASU).
The series sweep in Jonesboro allowed the Cajuns to put the Sun Belt opening weekend setback against Troy in the rearview mirror. UL regained its rhythm offensively, averaging 14.8 kills per set on .250 hitting.
Louisiana posted its seventh straight win over Arkansas State, extending the program's series-best win streak. The Cajuns have now won 11 of the last 13 meetings with the Red Wolves dating back to 2018.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's ability to erase a 24-20 deficit in each of the first two sets led to back-to-back marathon sets to start the afternoon.
The Cajuns captured the first extra point thriller winning set point on the fourth attempt with an ace from Siena DeCambra. After having set point four times and later fighting it off twice in Set 2, ASU broke free from a 31-all tie after a pair of Cajuns attack errors to even the match.
A 4-0 run that featured a block solo and ace from DeCambra allowed UL to assert control in Set 3, expanding the lead to 11-7. The Cajuns would not trail again in taking the match lead, fighting off ASU's last push with back-to-back kills from Richardson for an 18-14 advantage.
Behind a combined four kills off the hands of Hicks and Mya Wilson the Cajuns rolled out to a 7-1 start in Set 4. The Red Wolves rallied to even the score at 15-all, but UL quickly rebuilt the lead. A Richardson kill regained the lead, a dump kill from DeCambra preserved it and an ace from Kennedy Gustafson had the set-ending 10-2 off and running.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Richardson collected her first double-digit kills effort in Sun Belt Conference play and ninth overall this season. The 16 kills pushed her season total to 203, securing a third consecutive 200-plus kills campaign.
Darling's 14 kills brought her series total to a team-leading 25 kills. It was the 11th consecutive match with at least six kills for Darling who also collected her eighth double-digit effort of the season.
Hicks' production came on a .455 hitting percentage (12 K, 2 E, 22 TA) as the Cajuns once again tormented the Red Wolves from the middle.
DeCambra proved to be the unsung hero of the match for Louisiana, posting team-leading totals in blocks (3), aces (2) and digs (18) in addition to passing out 47 assists.
Kara Barnes and Hicks also had a hand in three blocks. Barnes inched ever closer to the 300-mark in career blocks, upping her total to 297.
DeCambra was joined in double figures in digs by Mio Yamamoto (17), Chelsea George (14) and Kennedy Gustafson (14). Their leading efforts led the Cajuns to a team season-high total of 88 digs.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns remain on the road, traveling to San Marcos, Texas for a Sun Belt West showdown with Texas State (9-6, 2-2 Sun Belt) from Friday-Saturday, October 6-7 at Strahan Arena.
Louisiana and Texas State begin the two-match series at 6:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 6), then conclude the faceoff on Saturday (Oct. 7) in a 2:00 p.m. match.
The series with the Bobcats closes out a four-match road swing for the Cajuns, whose next matches at E.K. Long Gym are set for Friday-Saturday, October 13-14 vs. South Alabama.
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.
The Ragin' Cajuns (11-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) pulled off late comebacks and went deep into extra points in order to be even with the Red Wolves (11-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) after the first two sets – which took over 1-1/2 hours to complete. The two teams slugged out 31 ties and 12 lead changes during the split.
Getting to the finish line was a smoother process for Louisiana, with the team scoring 14 kills in each of the last two sets while limiting ASU to 10 both times, resulting in back-to-back, seven-plus point set victories that wrapped up the match and series sweep.
Guided by the trio of Shyia Richardson (16 kills), Celeste Darling (14 kills) and Cami Hicks (12 kills), who each scored double figures in kills, the Ragin' Cajuns overcame the defensive slugfest that saw the two teams combine for 177 digs (89-88 in favor of ASU).
The series sweep in Jonesboro allowed the Cajuns to put the Sun Belt opening weekend setback against Troy in the rearview mirror. UL regained its rhythm offensively, averaging 14.8 kills per set on .250 hitting.
Louisiana posted its seventh straight win over Arkansas State, extending the program's series-best win streak. The Cajuns have now won 11 of the last 13 meetings with the Red Wolves dating back to 2018.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana's ability to erase a 24-20 deficit in each of the first two sets led to back-to-back marathon sets to start the afternoon.
The Cajuns captured the first extra point thriller winning set point on the fourth attempt with an ace from Siena DeCambra. After having set point four times and later fighting it off twice in Set 2, ASU broke free from a 31-all tie after a pair of Cajuns attack errors to even the match.
A 4-0 run that featured a block solo and ace from DeCambra allowed UL to assert control in Set 3, expanding the lead to 11-7. The Cajuns would not trail again in taking the match lead, fighting off ASU's last push with back-to-back kills from Richardson for an 18-14 advantage.
Behind a combined four kills off the hands of Hicks and Mya Wilson the Cajuns rolled out to a 7-1 start in Set 4. The Red Wolves rallied to even the score at 15-all, but UL quickly rebuilt the lead. A Richardson kill regained the lead, a dump kill from DeCambra preserved it and an ace from Kennedy Gustafson had the set-ending 10-2 off and running.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Richardson collected her first double-digit kills effort in Sun Belt Conference play and ninth overall this season. The 16 kills pushed her season total to 203, securing a third consecutive 200-plus kills campaign.
Darling's 14 kills brought her series total to a team-leading 25 kills. It was the 11th consecutive match with at least six kills for Darling who also collected her eighth double-digit effort of the season.
Hicks' production came on a .455 hitting percentage (12 K, 2 E, 22 TA) as the Cajuns once again tormented the Red Wolves from the middle.
DeCambra proved to be the unsung hero of the match for Louisiana, posting team-leading totals in blocks (3), aces (2) and digs (18) in addition to passing out 47 assists.
Kara Barnes and Hicks also had a hand in three blocks. Barnes inched ever closer to the 300-mark in career blocks, upping her total to 297.
DeCambra was joined in double figures in digs by Mio Yamamoto (17), Chelsea George (14) and Kennedy Gustafson (14). Their leading efforts led the Cajuns to a team season-high total of 88 digs.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns remain on the road, traveling to San Marcos, Texas for a Sun Belt West showdown with Texas State (9-6, 2-2 Sun Belt) from Friday-Saturday, October 6-7 at Strahan Arena.
Louisiana and Texas State begin the two-match series at 6:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 6), then conclude the faceoff on Saturday (Oct. 7) in a 2:00 p.m. match.
The series with the Bobcats closes out a four-match road swing for the Cajuns, whose next matches at E.K. Long Gym are set for Friday-Saturday, October 13-14 vs. South Alabama.
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
61
54
Errors
20
31
Attempts
184
191
Hitting %
.223
.120
Points
73.0
66.0
Assists
58
52
Aces
4
7
Blocks
8.0
5.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ VolleyballOPP
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOPP
/ Volleyball
L
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