University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, October 31
Jonesboro, Ark.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
12-9, 4-7SBC
0
at
3
Arkansas State
15-7, 8-3SBC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 21 | 11 | 19 | 0 |
| Arkansas State | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Red Wolves Position Themselves Ahead of Cajuns Leading to Sweep
10/31/2025 9:28:00 PM | Volleyball
Arkansas State established quick leads each set in taking series opener from Louisiana
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Louisiana Volleyball Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team was faced with early deficits all three sets and Arkansas State took full advantage leading the host-Red Wolves to a 3-0 win (25-21, 25-11, 25-19) on Friday, October 31 at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
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Louisiana (12-9, 4-7 SBC) scored the first point of the match then Arkansas State (15-7, 8-3 SBC) rolled off four straight points and never trailed the rest of the contest.
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The Red Wolves built out leads of 8-2, 7-1 and 6-2 in succession to pave the way for the straight sets sweep.
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The Ragin' Cajuns fought back into an 8-all tie in Set 3 attempting to swing momentum in their favor, but back-to-back kills by ASU's Kaitlin Whitlock created separation and began a 6-1 run that re-opened a sizeable lead at 14-9.
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ASU produced at least 14 kills in every set and hit .337 for the match. It was a 15-14 edge in kills in Set 1 that held off UL in claiming the match lead. Then a blistering .619 hitting percentage – needing only 21 swings to net 14 kills – in Set 2 led to a convincing win that opened a commanding match lead for the Red Wolves.
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UL was hampered by its first sub-.100 hitting percentage of the season, finishing at .094 (35 K, 24 E, 117 TA). The Red Wolves defense forced the Ragin' Cajuns into 24 attack errors – more than double the hosts had.
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The Ragin' Cajuns made a late run at the match lead in Set 1, fighting off set point three times before running out of time. Chelsea Gilmore scored a kill to win service for Sophia Armstrong who began a two-point run with an ace trimming the deficit to 24-21. ASU sided out (service error) to fend off the rally.
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Louisiana took advantage of cross-court winners near the net to recover in Set 3, with Marlee Ervin, Cailin Demps and Grace Sweeney each taking a turn to help the Cajuns keep pace at 8-5. Sweeney's cross-court shot won service for Kennedy Gustafson who saw out three straight winners to forge a tie.
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Whitlock's heroics preserved the Red Wolves' sweep, but not without a push from the Ragin' Cajuns. ASU needed a successful challenge to avoid UL from trimming the late lead to 20-18.
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Playing on the road for the first time in three weeks, the Ragin' Cajuns were dealt a fourth consecutive road loss. Louisiana's four-match win streak at First National Bank Arena, which dated back to 2019, was also snapped.
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LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps registered a match-high 14 kills. With seven kills in the opening set, she single-handedly nearly willed Louisiana back from a late seven-point deficit.
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Friday's production marked Demps' 16th time in double digits, the 10th time in 11 SBC matches, and moved her season total to 275 kills continuing her march toward 300 kills in a single season for the first time in her career.
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Middle blocker Chelsea Gilmore was next with seven kills and she joined Demps in tallying multiple blocks (both with two apiece).
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Libero Kennedy Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 13 digs while Sweeney was two digs shy of double digits.
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Setters Ryleigh Garis (17 assists) and Nene Hawkins (10 assists) shared the load in combining to pass out 27 of the Cajuns' 33 assists.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Arkansas State complete the two-match Sun Belt Conference series on Saturday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
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The Ragin' Cajuns seek to gain a split of the series and look to snap a three-match losing streak against the Red Wolves. Live coverage of the match is available on ESPN+.
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Louisiana has the opportunity to return to a tie with Troy for fifth place in the SBC West Division ahead of the final division matches against ULM at E.K. Long Gym from November 6-7. Conference tournament qualification is based on division records, a win Saturday allowing UL to match Troy's mark with the tiebreaker in hand.
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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Fans can support the volleyball student-athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Back Reaux Club (click here).
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Louisiana (12-9, 4-7 SBC) scored the first point of the match then Arkansas State (15-7, 8-3 SBC) rolled off four straight points and never trailed the rest of the contest.
Â
The Red Wolves built out leads of 8-2, 7-1 and 6-2 in succession to pave the way for the straight sets sweep.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns fought back into an 8-all tie in Set 3 attempting to swing momentum in their favor, but back-to-back kills by ASU's Kaitlin Whitlock created separation and began a 6-1 run that re-opened a sizeable lead at 14-9.
Â
ASU produced at least 14 kills in every set and hit .337 for the match. It was a 15-14 edge in kills in Set 1 that held off UL in claiming the match lead. Then a blistering .619 hitting percentage – needing only 21 swings to net 14 kills – in Set 2 led to a convincing win that opened a commanding match lead for the Red Wolves.
Â
UL was hampered by its first sub-.100 hitting percentage of the season, finishing at .094 (35 K, 24 E, 117 TA). The Red Wolves defense forced the Ragin' Cajuns into 24 attack errors – more than double the hosts had.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns made a late run at the match lead in Set 1, fighting off set point three times before running out of time. Chelsea Gilmore scored a kill to win service for Sophia Armstrong who began a two-point run with an ace trimming the deficit to 24-21. ASU sided out (service error) to fend off the rally.
Â
Louisiana took advantage of cross-court winners near the net to recover in Set 3, with Marlee Ervin, Cailin Demps and Grace Sweeney each taking a turn to help the Cajuns keep pace at 8-5. Sweeney's cross-court shot won service for Kennedy Gustafson who saw out three straight winners to forge a tie.
Â
Whitlock's heroics preserved the Red Wolves' sweep, but not without a push from the Ragin' Cajuns. ASU needed a successful challenge to avoid UL from trimming the late lead to 20-18.
Â
Playing on the road for the first time in three weeks, the Ragin' Cajuns were dealt a fourth consecutive road loss. Louisiana's four-match win streak at First National Bank Arena, which dated back to 2019, was also snapped.
Â
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Demps registered a match-high 14 kills. With seven kills in the opening set, she single-handedly nearly willed Louisiana back from a late seven-point deficit.
Â
Friday's production marked Demps' 16th time in double digits, the 10th time in 11 SBC matches, and moved her season total to 275 kills continuing her march toward 300 kills in a single season for the first time in her career.
Â
Middle blocker Chelsea Gilmore was next with seven kills and she joined Demps in tallying multiple blocks (both with two apiece).
Â
Libero Kennedy Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 13 digs while Sweeney was two digs shy of double digits.
Â
Setters Ryleigh Garis (17 assists) and Nene Hawkins (10 assists) shared the load in combining to pass out 27 of the Cajuns' 33 assists.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Arkansas State complete the two-match Sun Belt Conference series on Saturday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m. at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns seek to gain a split of the series and look to snap a three-match losing streak against the Red Wolves. Live coverage of the match is available on ESPN+.
Â
Louisiana has the opportunity to return to a tie with Troy for fifth place in the SBC West Division ahead of the final division matches against ULM at E.K. Long Gym from November 6-7. Conference tournament qualification is based on division records, a win Saturday allowing UL to match Troy's mark with the tiebreaker in hand.
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.
Â
Fans can support the volleyball student-athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Back Reaux Club (click here).
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
L
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
L
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UL
ASU
Kills
35
43
Errors
24
11
Attempts
117
95
Hitting %
.094
.337
Points
39.0
55.0
Assists
33
43
Aces
1
3
Blocks
3.0
9.0
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
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