University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Tuesday, September 1
Lafayette
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
1-2
3
vs
0
McNeese
0-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNeese | 26 | 18 | 15 | 0 |
| Louisiana | 28 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Louisiana Takes Command in Home-Opening Sweep
9/1/2026 9:59:00 PM | Volleyball
Ragin’ Cajuns overcome tight first set, then close out McNeese in straight sets
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team opened its home schedule in convincing fashion Tuesday night, sweeping McNeese 3-0 (28-26, 25-18, 25-15) at E.K. Long Gym.
The Ragin' Cajuns (1-2) overcame a back-and-forth opening set before taking control of the match and dominating the final two frames, using a balanced offensive attack and strong play at the net to dispatch the visiting Cowgirls (0-4)
Louisiana finished the night with 46 kills, hitting .287 as a team, while holding McNeese to 22 kills and a .057 hitting percentage. The Cajuns also held advantages in assists (43-22), digs (44-35) and blocks (7-5).
Lolo Lambert led Louisiana with her season-high 12 kills, while Marlee Ervin added eight and Emily Williams finished with seven kills on only 10 attempts. Ryleigh Garis directed the offense with 19 assists, followed by Rhyan Miciotto with 11.
Lindsey Henry anchored the defense at the net with a match-high five blocks, while Taylor Gaines contributed three. Kennedy Gustafson paced the back row efforts with 13 digs, while Lambert added nine.
The Ragin' Cajuns won their home opener for the second straight season and fifth time in six seasons with head coach Kristi Gray. The victory moved Gray within one of her 200th career win as a collegiate head coach.
Tuesday's outing kicked off a week-long, three-match homestand for UL which continues with the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from September 3-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set was the most competitive of the night. McNeese built a lead midway through the frame and held a 24-23 advantage late, but Louisiana answered to force extra points.
After the teams traded points to reach 26-all, the Cajuns closed with a kill from Lambert and a final point from Sophia Armstrong to claim the set, 28-26.
Louisiana carried that momentum into the second set, scoring the first four points and opening a commanding 10-4 lead using kills two kills apiece from Lambert and Williams. After the set tightened up at 18-14, UL reeled off three straight points off a kill from Ervin, an ace from Sophia Armstrong and block from Lambert and Henry in succession.
The third set belonged to the Ragin' Cajuns after flipping the lead with a 4-0 run which opened a 5-2 advantage. Louisiana quickly established a 12-6 advantage behind a run of attacking success that included five kills.
McNeese never recovered, and the Cajuns later ran away when the serve of Lambert resulted in six consecutive points that stretched the lead to 24-12.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues this week's homestand hosting the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from Thursday-Saturday, September 3-5 at E.K. Long Gym.
UL meets Southeastern on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to start off the tournament and wraps up the week on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Memphis in the final match of the event.
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).
The Ragin' Cajuns (1-2) overcame a back-and-forth opening set before taking control of the match and dominating the final two frames, using a balanced offensive attack and strong play at the net to dispatch the visiting Cowgirls (0-4)
Louisiana finished the night with 46 kills, hitting .287 as a team, while holding McNeese to 22 kills and a .057 hitting percentage. The Cajuns also held advantages in assists (43-22), digs (44-35) and blocks (7-5).
Lolo Lambert led Louisiana with her season-high 12 kills, while Marlee Ervin added eight and Emily Williams finished with seven kills on only 10 attempts. Ryleigh Garis directed the offense with 19 assists, followed by Rhyan Miciotto with 11.
Lindsey Henry anchored the defense at the net with a match-high five blocks, while Taylor Gaines contributed three. Kennedy Gustafson paced the back row efforts with 13 digs, while Lambert added nine.
The Ragin' Cajuns won their home opener for the second straight season and fifth time in six seasons with head coach Kristi Gray. The victory moved Gray within one of her 200th career win as a collegiate head coach.
Tuesday's outing kicked off a week-long, three-match homestand for UL which continues with the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from September 3-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set was the most competitive of the night. McNeese built a lead midway through the frame and held a 24-23 advantage late, but Louisiana answered to force extra points.
After the teams traded points to reach 26-all, the Cajuns closed with a kill from Lambert and a final point from Sophia Armstrong to claim the set, 28-26.
Louisiana carried that momentum into the second set, scoring the first four points and opening a commanding 10-4 lead using kills two kills apiece from Lambert and Williams. After the set tightened up at 18-14, UL reeled off three straight points off a kill from Ervin, an ace from Sophia Armstrong and block from Lambert and Henry in succession.
The third set belonged to the Ragin' Cajuns after flipping the lead with a 4-0 run which opened a 5-2 advantage. Louisiana quickly established a 12-6 advantage behind a run of attacking success that included five kills.
McNeese never recovered, and the Cajuns later ran away when the serve of Lambert resulted in six consecutive points that stretched the lead to 24-12.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues this week's homestand hosting the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic from Thursday-Saturday, September 3-5 at E.K. Long Gym.
UL meets Southeastern on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to start off the tournament and wraps up the week on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Memphis in the final match of the event.
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
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
MCN
UL
Kills
22
46
Errors
17
17
Attempts
88
101
Hitting %
.057
.287
Points
30.0
57.0
Assists
22
43
Aces
3
4
Blocks
5.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
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