University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, August 30
Lafayette
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
0-1
1
vs
3
Jackson State
2-0
1
2
3
4
F
Jackson State
20
25
25
27
3
Louisiana
25
19
22
25
1
Cajuns Fall Short in Season-Opening Battle with Jackson State
8/30/2024 10:03:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers avoid fifth set in capturing matchup in Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team lost hold of the momentum gained from an opening-set triumph and Jackson State went on to claim a 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 27-25) win on Opening Night of the 2024 season at E.K. Long Gym.
Louisiana (0-1) raced out to a 14-5 lead from the opening whistle behind a balanced effort of two kills apiece from Cailin Demps, Lauryn Hill and Jazmine Gaston, then later fended off a Tigers comeback to capture an early match lead.
Jackson State (2-0) pulled itself out of deficits each of the next two sets to flip the script. With the match lead hanging in the balance in the third set, a kill from Hope Briggs forged a 22-all and marked the first of four straight winners that provided the Tigers an advantage.
UL repeated the quick start in Set 4 by building a 7-1 advantage and reclaimed the lead 22-21 when Cami Hicks was involved in back-to-back blocks – appearing to be on the way to evening the match.
A kill from Demps increased the lead to 23-21, however the Tigers won the next two rallies which set up a back-and-forth tussle into extra points before a pair of kills ended the frame in JSU's favor.
The two teams battled through 22 ties and 12 lead changes over the course of the three sets that decided the contest. JSU benefitted from a 56-49 advantage in kills and a higher efficiency (.209 to .142 advantage in hitting percentage.
Louisiana entered the season shorthanded with all-conference setter Siena DeCambra having endured a season-ending injury and a 300-200 kills-digs performer Shyia Richardson sidelined with injury.
Friday's contest closed out the opening day of the annual Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic at E.K. Long Gym. Tournament play continues Saturday and Sunday with action beginning at 11:00 a.m. each day.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps and Gaston shined in their official Ragin' Cajuns debut, totaling 13 kills and 12 kills, respectively.
With 10 digs added to her stat line, Gaston notched a double-double in her collegiate debut.
Hicks led the charge on the frontline with a match-high five blocks while libero Mio Yamamoto hauled in a match-high 20 digs.
Freshman setter Megan Hawkins served up three aces and was one dig shy of a double-double. She handed out 32 of the Cajuns' 48 assists.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns continue play in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic on Saturday, August 31 when they face Murray State at 2:00 p.m.
The contest marks the first-ever meeting with the Racers at E.K. Long Gym. The only prior matchup between Louisiana and Murray State occurred in September 2001 at the Mississippi State Invitational in Starville, Mississippi.
Admission is free and open to the public. General admission parking is in the gravel lot located behind E.K. Long Gym. Additional general admission parking is located on the first floor of Olivier Parking tower, along with the ParkMobile parking lots which can be found on the Volleyball Match Day Parking page.
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 (0-1) raced out to a 14-5 lead from the opening whistle behind a balanced effort of two kills apiece from Cailin Demps, Lauryn Hill and Jazmine Gaston, then later fended off a Tigers comeback to capture an early match lead.
Jackson State (2-0) pulled itself out of deficits each of the next two sets to flip the script. With the match lead hanging in the balance in the third set, a kill from Hope Briggs forged a 22-all and marked the first of four straight winners that provided the Tigers an advantage.
UL repeated the quick start in Set 4 by building a 7-1 advantage and reclaimed the lead 22-21 when Cami Hicks was involved in back-to-back blocks – appearing to be on the way to evening the match.
A kill from Demps increased the lead to 23-21, however the Tigers won the next two rallies which set up a back-and-forth tussle into extra points before a pair of kills ended the frame in JSU's favor.
The two teams battled through 22 ties and 12 lead changes over the course of the three sets that decided the contest. JSU benefitted from a 56-49 advantage in kills and a higher efficiency (.209 to .142 advantage in hitting percentage.
Louisiana entered the season shorthanded with all-conference setter Siena DeCambra having endured a season-ending injury and a 300-200 kills-digs performer Shyia Richardson sidelined with injury.
Friday's contest closed out the opening day of the annual Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic at E.K. Long Gym. Tournament play continues Saturday and Sunday with action beginning at 11:00 a.m. each day.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps and Gaston shined in their official Ragin' Cajuns debut, totaling 13 kills and 12 kills, respectively.
With 10 digs added to her stat line, Gaston notched a double-double in her collegiate debut.
Hicks led the charge on the frontline with a match-high five blocks while libero Mio Yamamoto hauled in a match-high 20 digs.
Freshman setter Megan Hawkins served up three aces and was one dig shy of a double-double. She handed out 32 of the Cajuns' 48 assists.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns continue play in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic on Saturday, August 31 when they face Murray State at 2:00 p.m.
The contest marks the first-ever meeting with the Racers at E.K. Long Gym. The only prior matchup between Louisiana and Murray State occurred in September 2001 at the Mississippi State Invitational in Starville, Mississippi.
Admission is free and open to the public. General admission parking is in the gravel lot located behind E.K. Long Gym. Additional general admission parking is located on the first floor of Olivier Parking tower, along with the ParkMobile parking lots which can be found on the Volleyball Match Day Parking page.
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
JSU
UL
Kills
56
49
Errors
23
27
Attempts
158
155
Hitting %
.209
.142
Points
70.0
65.0
Assists
53
48
Aces
5
8
Blocks
9.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
5
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
S
/ VolleyballOH/OPP
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
L
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