MONROE, La. -- The ULM Warhawks (5-14, 1-9 Sun Belt) travel to UL-Lafayette (14-12, 5-5 Sun Belt) for the final road contest of the 2012 season. Saturday's 7 p.m. tilt is the Ragin' Cajuns' "Dig Pink Match" in support of breast cancer awareness.
It is a pivotal match for the Cajuns, who are just one game out of first place in the SBC West. ULM head coach Ernest Vasquez and the rest of the Warhawks hope to spoil the in-state rival's chances of seizing the division's top spot.
The Warhawks go into Earl K. Long Gymnasium with the third-best blocking squad in the Sun Belt, averaging 2.47 blocks per set. Middle blockers Iren Marinova and Maria Garcia rank fifth and sixth in blocks per set average, respectively and pace the Warhawk defense. Libero/outside hitter Marcela Araya is second in the conference, averaging 4.71 digs per set. Offensively, ULM is paced by outside hitter Samantha Morse's 176 total kills and left side hitter Blanca Ocana's .165 hitting percentage (minimum 200 attacks). Outside hitter Zuzana Markova has 177 assists and averages 2.72 per set to lead the category for the Warhawks.
The Ragin' Cajuns enter Saturday's match as the league's best serving squad, averaging 1.50 aces per set. The UL-Lafayette attack is set up by setter Mandi Gavin. Gavin averages 9.62 assists per set to rank fifth in the Sun Belt. Outside hitter Lavinia Tataran is one of six players to play in all 96 sets for ULL this season. She is averaging a team best 2.72 kills per set and has 261 kills. Middle blocker Blair Claypoole is the most effective attacker, hitting at a .277 clip. Defensively, libero Caitlyn Auxilien leads the team with 396 digs and averages 4.12 per set.
The Ragin' Cajuns hold a 26-19 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1982. UL-Lafayette defeated the Warhawks 3-0 earlier this season. Saturday's match begins at 7 p.m. Live stats will be available on ulmwarhawks.com.
