University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, August 30
San Marcos, Texas
1:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
0-2,0-0Sun Belt
0
at
3
Texas State
1-1,0-0Pac-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 25 | 16 | 20 | 0 |
| Texas St. | 27 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Cajuns Rally, Bobcats Answer in San Marcos
8/30/2026 4:48:00 PM | Volleyball
Louisiana erases a six-point deficit in the opening set before Texas State pulls away for the sweep
SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team battled back from an early deficit in the opening set to force extra points but could not sustain the momentum as Texas State claimed a 3-0 (27-25, 25-16, 25-20) decision on Sunday, August 30 in the closing match of the Texas State Invitational at Strahan Arena in San Marcos, Texas.
Sunday's match wrapped up the opening weekend of Louisiana's 50th anniversary season which continues Tuesday, September 1 with the home opener at E.K. Long Gym vs. McNeese.
The Ragin' Cajuns (0-2) held their own offensively with 37 kills and 37 assists. Texas State (1-1) countered with a more efficient attack, connecting on 39 kills while hitting .310 as a team.
UL received a team-high 10 kills from Lolo Lambert, while Sarah Schnell added nine kills off 18 swings on a .278 hitting percentage. Taylor Gaines contributed six kills, and Jazmine Gaston provided four kills on seven attacks down the stretch.
Nene Hawkins paced the Ragin' Cajuns with 20 assists and two service aces. Libero Kennedy Gustafson also served up a pair of aces and tied Lambert for the team lead with seven digs.
The Bobcats were led by Brooke Bentke who scored a match-high 12 kills and had a hand in five of the team's 10 total blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana appeared poised to steal the opening set after erasing a 19-12 deficit. The Cajuns eventually pulled even at 23-23 after kills from Schnell and Lambert along with the serve of Hawkins completed a 6-0 run.
Schnell delivered a kill to tie the set at 24-24, then Lindsey Henry answered a Texas State score in extra points with a kill to make it 25-25. The Bobcats, however, secured the final two points to take the opener 27-25.
Texas State carried its momentum into the second set, jumping in front 6-0 and holding the lead throughout the frame.
The Bobcats opened the third set with another early push, taking a 3-0 lead. UL answered with back-to-back kills from Schnell and drew even at 5-all after a kill by Gaines, however the Bobcats collected a side out to avoid falling behind and gradually created separation.
Gaston sparked a late Cajuns rally with consecutive kills, while Gaines added a kill as Louisiana trimmed a 24-17 deficit to 24-20. Texas State ended the comeback bid with the final point to secure the sweep.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns open their home slate on Tuesday, September 1 vs. McNeese at E.K. Long Gym. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
The matchup with the Cowgirls is immediately followed by the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from September 3 through September 5 with UL hosting Southeastern and Memphis.
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).
Sunday's match wrapped up the opening weekend of Louisiana's 50th anniversary season which continues Tuesday, September 1 with the home opener at E.K. Long Gym vs. McNeese.
The Ragin' Cajuns (0-2) held their own offensively with 37 kills and 37 assists. Texas State (1-1) countered with a more efficient attack, connecting on 39 kills while hitting .310 as a team.
UL received a team-high 10 kills from Lolo Lambert, while Sarah Schnell added nine kills off 18 swings on a .278 hitting percentage. Taylor Gaines contributed six kills, and Jazmine Gaston provided four kills on seven attacks down the stretch.
Nene Hawkins paced the Ragin' Cajuns with 20 assists and two service aces. Libero Kennedy Gustafson also served up a pair of aces and tied Lambert for the team lead with seven digs.
The Bobcats were led by Brooke Bentke who scored a match-high 12 kills and had a hand in five of the team's 10 total blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Louisiana appeared poised to steal the opening set after erasing a 19-12 deficit. The Cajuns eventually pulled even at 23-23 after kills from Schnell and Lambert along with the serve of Hawkins completed a 6-0 run.
Schnell delivered a kill to tie the set at 24-24, then Lindsey Henry answered a Texas State score in extra points with a kill to make it 25-25. The Bobcats, however, secured the final two points to take the opener 27-25.
Texas State carried its momentum into the second set, jumping in front 6-0 and holding the lead throughout the frame.
The Bobcats opened the third set with another early push, taking a 3-0 lead. UL answered with back-to-back kills from Schnell and drew even at 5-all after a kill by Gaines, however the Bobcats collected a side out to avoid falling behind and gradually created separation.
Gaston sparked a late Cajuns rally with consecutive kills, while Gaines added a kill as Louisiana trimmed a 24-17 deficit to 24-20. Texas State ended the comeback bid with the final point to secure the sweep.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns open their home slate on Tuesday, September 1 vs. McNeese at E.K. Long Gym. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
The matchup with the Cowgirls is immediately followed by the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from September 3 through September 5 with UL hosting Southeastern and Memphis.
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 -
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
OPP
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
LA
TXST
Kills
37
39
Errors
24
12
Attempts
105
87
Hitting %
.124
.310
Points
46.0
53.0
Assists
37
38
Aces
5
4
Blocks
4
10
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
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