University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, November 7
Monroe, La.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
7-15, 3-8SBC
3
at
1
ULM
4-21, 0-13SBC
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
25
23
25
25
3
ULM
20
25
20
18
1
Cajuns Work Their Way Past Warhawks in Series Opener
11/7/2024 10:38:00 PM | Volleyball
Strong finishes in final two sets carries Louisiana past ULM
MONROE – Sparked by a career-high 22 kills from Cailin Demps the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team started its two-match SBC series against ULM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe with a 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18) victory on Thursday, November 8.
Demps collected her final nine kills over the third and fourth set as the Ragin' Cajuns (7-15, 3-8 SBC) broke free from a match deadlock with the Warhawks (4-21, 0-13 SBC).
Twice in the decisive frames did Demps preserve the separation from ULM – a kill late in Set 3 preventing a 17-all tie and later on early in Set 4 with a 4-3 lead delivering a score that ignited a 6-2 run that placed UL comfortably ahead.
The Ragin' Cajuns decisive 11-3 advantage in blocks sunk the Warhawks as well, showing up in key moments down the stretch of the final two frames.
A combo block from Cami Hicks and Jaylynn McNeill followed that key Demps' tally in Set 3 and increased the lead to 19-16, and ULM got no closer than two points. Then in Set 4, McNeill joined Chelsea Gilmore on a pivotal stuff making it 18-15 for the trigger of a 5-1 spurt that created the final separation.
The win was sealed from the service line as back-to-back aces from Megan Hawkins stretched the Set 4 lead to 21-16.
Before the offense leaned upon Demps' arm, the Ragin' Cajuns used strong play from the middle in Set 1 with Hicks and Gilmore combining for nine kills to start the night with the lead. The bid at the season's first straight sets sweep was spoiled by ULM's set-ending 4-0 run that erased a 23-21 Cajuns lead.
The Ragin' Cajuns out-performed the Warhawks win several statistical including kills (55-51), hitting percentage (.245-.168), aces (6-3), digs (87-76) and blocks (11-3).
Louisiana picked up its 13th consecutive win over ULM dating back to 2019. It was also the first non-five set win of the season.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps' career-high kills tally marked the most recorded by a Ragin' Cajun in the 2024 season. She was supported by nine kills from Gilmore, eight kills from Abby Cunningham and seven kills from McNeill.
Hicks took the lead on the frontline with a hand in six blocks. Gilmore and McNeill were both involved in five blocks apiece.
Libero Mio Yamamoto's 26 digs marked her 11th outing of 20-plus scoops this season and the 21st overall in the Cajuns uniform.
UL received a double-double from both of its setters. Senior Danielle Taix handed out 22 assists and collected 19 digs while Hawkins turned in 21 assists and 12 digs for her team-leading 11th double-double.
Hawkins and fellow freshman Jazmine Gaston each served up two aces.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns and Warhawks are set to tangle again at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe to close out their two-match Sun Belt series.
Louisiana's attempt at the series sweep can be seen live on ESPN+.
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.
Demps collected her final nine kills over the third and fourth set as the Ragin' Cajuns (7-15, 3-8 SBC) broke free from a match deadlock with the Warhawks (4-21, 0-13 SBC).
Twice in the decisive frames did Demps preserve the separation from ULM – a kill late in Set 3 preventing a 17-all tie and later on early in Set 4 with a 4-3 lead delivering a score that ignited a 6-2 run that placed UL comfortably ahead.
The Ragin' Cajuns decisive 11-3 advantage in blocks sunk the Warhawks as well, showing up in key moments down the stretch of the final two frames.
A combo block from Cami Hicks and Jaylynn McNeill followed that key Demps' tally in Set 3 and increased the lead to 19-16, and ULM got no closer than two points. Then in Set 4, McNeill joined Chelsea Gilmore on a pivotal stuff making it 18-15 for the trigger of a 5-1 spurt that created the final separation.
The win was sealed from the service line as back-to-back aces from Megan Hawkins stretched the Set 4 lead to 21-16.
Before the offense leaned upon Demps' arm, the Ragin' Cajuns used strong play from the middle in Set 1 with Hicks and Gilmore combining for nine kills to start the night with the lead. The bid at the season's first straight sets sweep was spoiled by ULM's set-ending 4-0 run that erased a 23-21 Cajuns lead.
The Ragin' Cajuns out-performed the Warhawks win several statistical including kills (55-51), hitting percentage (.245-.168), aces (6-3), digs (87-76) and blocks (11-3).
Louisiana picked up its 13th consecutive win over ULM dating back to 2019. It was also the first non-five set win of the season.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps' career-high kills tally marked the most recorded by a Ragin' Cajun in the 2024 season. She was supported by nine kills from Gilmore, eight kills from Abby Cunningham and seven kills from McNeill.
Hicks took the lead on the frontline with a hand in six blocks. Gilmore and McNeill were both involved in five blocks apiece.
Libero Mio Yamamoto's 26 digs marked her 11th outing of 20-plus scoops this season and the 21st overall in the Cajuns uniform.
UL received a double-double from both of its setters. Senior Danielle Taix handed out 22 assists and collected 19 digs while Hawkins turned in 21 assists and 12 digs for her team-leading 11th double-double.
Hawkins and fellow freshman Jazmine Gaston each served up two aces.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns and Warhawks are set to tangle again at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe to close out their two-match Sun Belt series.
Louisiana's attempt at the series sweep can be seen live on ESPN+.
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
ULM
Kills
55
51
Errors
17
23
Attempts
155
167
Hitting %
.245
.168
Points
72.0
57.0
Assists
54
50
Aces
6
3
Blocks
11.0
3.0
Game Leaders
Kills
22
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OH
/ VolleyballOH/OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballMB/OPP
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
L
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