Cajuns Reach Finish Line of Road-Laden Stretch

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team arrives at the third and final weekend of its season-opening road stretch when the squad participates in the UNF Invitational hosted by North Florida from Friday-Saturday, September 8-9 at the UNF Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

The UNF Invitational marks the final non-conference road matches of the season for Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns (4-4) are scheduled to face Charlotte at 11:15 a.m. (CDT) and host-UNF at 6:30 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, then meet Texas Southern at 9:00 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday before returning home.

The matches bring to an end this week's four-match journey on Interstate 10 that began on Wednesday, September 6 in Baton Rouge at LSU.

All matches in the UNF Invitational will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats can be accessed on the volleyball schedule page at RaginCajuns.com.

Two-plus weeks into the season, Louisiana has been led offensively by Shyia Richarson's 108 kills (3.9/set) and defensively by the middle blocker duo of Cami Hicks and Kara Barnes who have combined for 40 blocks and libero Mio Yamamoto who has rounded up 103 digs (3.6/set).

The Ragin' Cajuns seek to halt a three-match losing streak and rebound from their lowest offensive production in the LSU contest (8.3 kills/set).

Senior opposite hitter Mya Wilson has the opportunity to compete collegiately in her home state a second time. The Orlando native played in a weekday match at UNF with Georgia Southern in the 2019 season.

After play is complete in Jacksonville, the Cajuns make their official home debut of the 2023 season hosting the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic at E.K. Long Gym from Thursday-Saturday, September 14-16.

Louisiana Volleyball at UNF Invitational
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 8-9 | Jacksonville, Fla. (UNF Arena)

Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Charlotte // Jacksonville, Fla. // 11:15 a.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates

Friday, Sept. 8 at North Florida // Jacksonville, Fla. // 6:30 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates

Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Texas Southern // Jacksonville, Fla. // 9:00 a.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Twitter Updates

SERIES HISTORY
- Charlotte: First Meeting
- North Florida: Tied, 1-1 | Last match: W, 3-0 on 9/14/2013 in Athens, Ga.
Streak: UL +1
- Texas Southern: Louisiana leads, 8-0 | Last match: W, 3-1 on 9/10/2021 in Edinburg, Texas
Streak: UL +8

SERVICE ACES
>> Louisiana completes its season-opening, 11-match road stretch with the final stop in Jacksonville, Florida for the UNF Invitational.
>> The tournament marks the final road non-conference matches of the 2023 season. The team's home debut is Sept. 14-16 at E.K. Long Gym.
>> UL crossed over into the second half of non-conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at LSU.
>> The Cajuns seek to break their lone losing streak of the season, which stands at three matches.
>> Senior Mya Wilson of Orlando competes in her home state a second time. She played in a weekday match at UNF in 2019 with Georgia Southern.
>> Fast starts have been the norm, with Louisiana claiming the first set in six of eight matches so far.
>> UL is one week removed from the program's first ranked win in 10 years (Aug. 29 at #18 Rice).
>> In near misses last Saturday in Lubbock, UL played through a combined 57 ties and 22 lead changes (31 ties and 12 lead changes in the Texas Tech match).
>> Shyia Richardson is averaging 3.9 kills per set. She's already surpassed the century mark (108 kills).
>> Setter Siena DeCambra averaged 11-plus assists per set each of the first two weeks.
>> Mio Yamamoto collected double figures in digs all three matches in Lubbock, culminating with 22 vs. Wyoming at 20 against Texas Tech on Saturday.
>> UL returned to full strength with the return of Lauryn Hill (at Texas Tech) from a preseason injury.
>> Cami Hicks, an All-Sun Belt selection in 2022, posted a career-high 107 blocks last season.
>> Kara Barnes has hit .310-plus the past three seasons, tallying 150-plus kills each time. Barnes has also eclipsed 70 blocks each year during the streak.
>> Third-year setter Siena DeCambra started in Louisiana's 6-2 system each of the past two seasons and handed out 500-plus helpers both times.
>> Lauryn Hill (109 kills in SBC play as a freshman) and Shyia Richardson (pair of 200-kills seasons), are primed to take over as top producers at outside hitter.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns make their much awaited and official home debut of the 2023 season when they host the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from Thursday-Saturday, September 14-16 at E.K. Long Gym in Lafayette.

The home opener is set for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 14) with the Cajuns meeting Nicholls. Louisiana continues play in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic on Friday (Sept. 15) at 6:00 p.m. vs. New Orleans and closes out the event at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 16) vs. Prairie View A&M.

Louisiana will also be celebrating Alumni and Family Weekend, kicking it all off with a tailgate party sponsored by UL Ministries from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

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 -

Cajuns Reach Finish Line of Road-Laden Stretch

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Players Mentioned

Kara Barnes

Siena DeCambra

Cami Hicks

Lauryn Hill

Shyia Richardson

Mya Wilson

Mio Yamamoto

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Cajuns Reach Finish Line of Road-Laden Stretch

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Players Mentioned

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