University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, October 11
Hattiesburg, Miss.
2:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
10-6, 2-4SBC
1
at
3
Southern Miss
13-4, 5-1SBC
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
20
20
25
18
1
Southern Miss
25
25
22
25
3
Louisiana’s Late Charge Stopped by Southern Miss
10/11/2025 6:06:00 PM | Volleyball
Golden Eagles rise up in fourth set to counter Ragin’ Cajuns comeback momentum
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Louisiana Volleyball found fortune of its own with a spirited effort in the third set, but Southern Miss saved its best offensive effort for last to halt the Ragin' Cajuns rally and capture a 3-1 win (25-20, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18) on Saturday, October 11 at the USM Wellness Center.
The Ragin' Cajuns (10-6, 2-4 SBC) found themselves down 2-0 in the contest after the Golden Eagles (13-4, 5-1 SBC) carried over their good fortune from Friday's series opener.
Louisiana built a 15-8 lead in Set 1 charged by three early kills from Grace Sweeney before USM battled back into a 19-all tie. A service error returned the lead to the Cajuns, however the Golden Eagles won the next six rallies and took the opening frame.
Cailin Demps came out firing in Set 2 with four early kills carrying UL out to a 10-7 lead. USM found another critical scoring run, taking the next eight points to flip the momentum and never trailed again.
The Cajuns turned up the intensity in Set 3 to get on the board. Led by five kills from Nene Hawkins off the bench and a combined 15 digs from Sweeney and Kennedy Gustafson, Louisiana took its turn erasing a deficit.
UL climbed out of a 15-10 hole, staying ahead for good after Hawkins' final two kills of the frame prevented USM from pulling even each time with the latter securing a 22-20 advantage. The defense pressured USM into back-to-back attack errors all but sealing the set victory that extended the match.
The Ragin' Cajuns held several leads early in Set 4, largely due to Chelsea Gilmore landing four early kills, and remained ahead 11-10 after a kill from Demps. The Golden Eagles, though, went into overdrive registering the final 10 of their 19 kills scored in stanza the rest of the way to fend off Louisiana's comeback attempt.
Southern Miss became the first to sweep the two-match SBC series between the two programs since the Golden Eagles joined the SBC in 2023.
Louisiana, which committed a season-high 29 attack errors, had its losing streak extended to three matches.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps powered down 15 kills which pushed her season total over the 200-mark for the second straight season (currently at 209). The performance marked the senior opposite hitters' 12th double-digit effort and sixth in as many SBC matches.
Sweeney and Gilmore joined Demps in double digits with 11 kills apiece. The total increased Sweeney's series-leading total to 30 kills while Gilmore matched her season-high total (11 vs. App State, Oct. 3).
Freshman Lindsey Henry led the charge at the net with five blocks. Sweeney was next with a hand in three blocks.
Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 21 digs, falling one shy of the match-high total for a second straight day. The 16 digs rounded up by Sweeney landed her a double-double for the first time this season.
Ryleigh Garis dished out 30 of the Cajuns' 51 assists and in her first conference match in the 6-2 system rotation at setter freshman and Lafayette native Rhyan Miciotto notched a 15-assist, 10-dig double-double.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to E.K. Long Gym to continue division play in the Sun Belt Conference hosting Troy from Thursday-Friday, October 16-17.
First serve both nights of the two-match series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday's contest is being broadcast on ESPN+.
The Ragin' Cajuns are celebrating Alumni Weekend during the series with Troy. This year's event coincides with the University's Homecoming festivities that wraps up with the Ragin' Cajuns Football game vs. Southern Miss on October 18.
Louisiana is also beginning a four-match homestand that keeps the squad at E.K. Long Gym through October 25.
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 (10-6, 2-4 SBC) found themselves down 2-0 in the contest after the Golden Eagles (13-4, 5-1 SBC) carried over their good fortune from Friday's series opener.
Louisiana built a 15-8 lead in Set 1 charged by three early kills from Grace Sweeney before USM battled back into a 19-all tie. A service error returned the lead to the Cajuns, however the Golden Eagles won the next six rallies and took the opening frame.
Cailin Demps came out firing in Set 2 with four early kills carrying UL out to a 10-7 lead. USM found another critical scoring run, taking the next eight points to flip the momentum and never trailed again.
The Cajuns turned up the intensity in Set 3 to get on the board. Led by five kills from Nene Hawkins off the bench and a combined 15 digs from Sweeney and Kennedy Gustafson, Louisiana took its turn erasing a deficit.
UL climbed out of a 15-10 hole, staying ahead for good after Hawkins' final two kills of the frame prevented USM from pulling even each time with the latter securing a 22-20 advantage. The defense pressured USM into back-to-back attack errors all but sealing the set victory that extended the match.
The Ragin' Cajuns held several leads early in Set 4, largely due to Chelsea Gilmore landing four early kills, and remained ahead 11-10 after a kill from Demps. The Golden Eagles, though, went into overdrive registering the final 10 of their 19 kills scored in stanza the rest of the way to fend off Louisiana's comeback attempt.
Southern Miss became the first to sweep the two-match SBC series between the two programs since the Golden Eagles joined the SBC in 2023.
Louisiana, which committed a season-high 29 attack errors, had its losing streak extended to three matches.
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps powered down 15 kills which pushed her season total over the 200-mark for the second straight season (currently at 209). The performance marked the senior opposite hitters' 12th double-digit effort and sixth in as many SBC matches.
Sweeney and Gilmore joined Demps in double digits with 11 kills apiece. The total increased Sweeney's series-leading total to 30 kills while Gilmore matched her season-high total (11 vs. App State, Oct. 3).
Freshman Lindsey Henry led the charge at the net with five blocks. Sweeney was next with a hand in three blocks.
Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 21 digs, falling one shy of the match-high total for a second straight day. The 16 digs rounded up by Sweeney landed her a double-double for the first time this season.
Ryleigh Garis dished out 30 of the Cajuns' 51 assists and in her first conference match in the 6-2 system rotation at setter freshman and Lafayette native Rhyan Miciotto notched a 15-assist, 10-dig double-double.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to E.K. Long Gym to continue division play in the Sun Belt Conference hosting Troy from Thursday-Friday, October 16-17.
First serve both nights of the two-match series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday's contest is being broadcast on ESPN+.
The Ragin' Cajuns are celebrating Alumni Weekend during the series with Troy. This year's event coincides with the University's Homecoming festivities that wraps up with the Ragin' Cajuns Football game vs. Southern Miss on October 18.
Louisiana is also beginning a four-match homestand that keeps the squad at E.K. Long Gym through October 25.
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
USM
Kills
51
56
Errors
29
21
Attempts
164
159
Hitting %
.134
.220
Points
64.0
75.0
Assists
51
48
Aces
5
5
Blocks
8.0
14.0
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
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