University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, October 10
Hattiesburg, Miss.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
10-5, 2-3SBC
0
at
3
Southern Miss
12-4, 4-1SBC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 31 | 24 | 21 | 0 |
| Southern Miss | 33 | 26 | 25 | 3 |
USM Takes Series Opener from Louisiana by Thinnest of Margins
10/10/2025 9:32:00 PM | Volleyball
First two sets went extra points, ending the Golden Eagles’ favor both times
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Louisiana Volleyball's Grace Sweeney and Cailin Demps combined for 34 kills, but the good fortune Southern Miss found overshadowed their efforts in the Golden Eagles' 3-0 win (33-31, 26-24, 25-21) on Friday, October 10 at the USM Wellness Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
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Demps fired off eight kills in the opening set including three during extra points, but Southern Miss fought off set point three times and a call reversal that took a set point away to survive the 15 ties and five lead changes that the opening frame featured.
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The Sweeney-Demps combo accounted for 10 more kills in Set 2 with back-to-back scores from Demps providing a 22-21 lead and positioning Louisiana (10-5, 2-3 SBC) for a chance at evening the score.
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A combo block from Demps and Chelsea Gilmore had the Cajuns at set point, 24-22, but USM (12-4, 4-1 SBC) turned the tables. Consecutive kills from Elly Stewart forced extra points and then two straight kills from Brynn Botkin clinched the set and Louisiana faced an unfathomable 2-0 match deficit.
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The Golden Eagles continued the momentum swing into Set 3, scoring the first three points and never relinquished the lead.
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Sweeney did her best to will the Ragin' Cajuns back by registering eight kills in the final stanza. She scored three kills during a 5-1 run that sliced USM's lead to 13-10 and later was involved in three consecutive scores that trimmed the deficit to 22-18.
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Louisiana boasted the more efficient and productive offense, holding a 54-46 edge in kills and out-hitting USM .287-.279. However, its aggressive serve was unable to pay dividends committing 17 service errors to the Golden Eagles' eight in a match decided by just eight points.
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The Ragin' Cajuns dropped an SBC series opener for the first time this season and was saddled with a second straight defeat for the first time as well.
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Friday's contest marked the first visit back to Hattiesburg for Demps, who played for USM from 2022-23, since transferring to Louisiana in spring 2024.
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LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Sweeney posted a match-high 19 kills off of only 33 swings, finishing with a .515 hitting percentage. The production pushed her past the 100-kills mark (now at 115 kills) in her collegiate rookie campaign.
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Demps started out the night error-free the first 29 swings, scoring 13 kills the first two sets, before settling with 15 kills for her 11th double-digit effort and fifth in as many SBC matches.
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Of the Ragin' Cajuns five blocks, Demps and Marlee Ervin were the two players involved in multiple ones (two apiece).
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Kennedy Gustafson's 16 digs marked another match-high total for Louisiana. The junior libero added eight assists to her stat line.
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Ryleigh Garis paced the 6-2 attack with 26 assists while joining Nene Hawkins (16 assists) in directing the offense to a .250-plus hitting percentage for the eight time this season.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Southern Miss complete the two-match Sun Belt Conference series on Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the USM Wellness Center in Hattiesburg, Miss.
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The Ragin' Cajuns seek to halt a two-match losing skid and also look prevent the Golden Eagles from becoming the first to sweep the series in a matchup between the two programs since USM joined the SBC in 2023.
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A live broadcast of the match is available on ESPN+ while live stats can be accessed at CajunStats.StatBroadcast.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.
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Demps fired off eight kills in the opening set including three during extra points, but Southern Miss fought off set point three times and a call reversal that took a set point away to survive the 15 ties and five lead changes that the opening frame featured.
Â
The Sweeney-Demps combo accounted for 10 more kills in Set 2 with back-to-back scores from Demps providing a 22-21 lead and positioning Louisiana (10-5, 2-3 SBC) for a chance at evening the score.
Â
A combo block from Demps and Chelsea Gilmore had the Cajuns at set point, 24-22, but USM (12-4, 4-1 SBC) turned the tables. Consecutive kills from Elly Stewart forced extra points and then two straight kills from Brynn Botkin clinched the set and Louisiana faced an unfathomable 2-0 match deficit.
Â
The Golden Eagles continued the momentum swing into Set 3, scoring the first three points and never relinquished the lead.
Â
Sweeney did her best to will the Ragin' Cajuns back by registering eight kills in the final stanza. She scored three kills during a 5-1 run that sliced USM's lead to 13-10 and later was involved in three consecutive scores that trimmed the deficit to 22-18.
Â
Louisiana boasted the more efficient and productive offense, holding a 54-46 edge in kills and out-hitting USM .287-.279. However, its aggressive serve was unable to pay dividends committing 17 service errors to the Golden Eagles' eight in a match decided by just eight points.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns dropped an SBC series opener for the first time this season and was saddled with a second straight defeat for the first time as well.
Â
Friday's contest marked the first visit back to Hattiesburg for Demps, who played for USM from 2022-23, since transferring to Louisiana in spring 2024.
Â
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Sweeney posted a match-high 19 kills off of only 33 swings, finishing with a .515 hitting percentage. The production pushed her past the 100-kills mark (now at 115 kills) in her collegiate rookie campaign.
Â
Demps started out the night error-free the first 29 swings, scoring 13 kills the first two sets, before settling with 15 kills for her 11th double-digit effort and fifth in as many SBC matches.
Â
Of the Ragin' Cajuns five blocks, Demps and Marlee Ervin were the two players involved in multiple ones (two apiece).
Â
Kennedy Gustafson's 16 digs marked another match-high total for Louisiana. The junior libero added eight assists to her stat line.
Â
Ryleigh Garis paced the 6-2 attack with 26 assists while joining Nene Hawkins (16 assists) in directing the offense to a .250-plus hitting percentage for the eight time this season.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Southern Miss complete the two-match Sun Belt Conference series on Saturday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the USM Wellness Center in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns seek to halt a two-match losing skid and also look prevent the Golden Eagles from becoming the first to sweep the series in a matchup between the two programs since USM joined the SBC in 2023.
Â
A live broadcast of the match is available on ESPN+ while live stats can be accessed at CajunStats.StatBroadcast.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.
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
L
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UL
USM
Kills
54
46
Errors
15
12
Attempts
136
122
Hitting %
.287
.279
Points
61.0
57.0
Assists
53
43
Aces
2
4
Blocks
5.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
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