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
1
2
3
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Middle blocker Chelsea Gilmore was next with seven kills and she joined Demps in tallying multiple blocks (both with two apiece).
Libero Kennedy Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 13 digs while Sweeney was two digs shy of double digits.
Setters Ryleigh Garis (17 assists) and Nene Hawkins (10 assists) shared the load in combining to pass out 27 of the Cajuns' 33 assists.
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.
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+.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Middle blocker Chelsea Gilmore was next with seven kills and she joined Demps in tallying multiple blocks (both with two apiece).
Libero Kennedy Gustafson rounded up a team-leading 13 digs while Sweeney was two digs shy of double digits.
Setters Ryleigh Garis (17 assists) and Nene Hawkins (10 assists) shared the load in combining to pass out 27 of the Cajuns' 33 assists.
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.
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+.
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.
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).
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team 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
Players Mentioned
L
/ VolleyballOPP
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
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