MONROE, La. – The ULM volleyball team fell two points shy of victory in arguably the tightest match of the season as South Alabama edged the Warhawks, 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-13) Friday night at the Fant Ewing Coliseum on Dig Pink night.
Hope Pawlik excelled on both sides of the ball en route to her fourth double-double of the season. The sophomore from Katy, Texas led the team with 12 kills to go with a season-high 19 digs.
ULM (7-18, 1-11 Sun Belt) answered the call after the Jaguars (10-11, 5-6 Sun Belt) took a one set victory. The Warhawks came out of the gate on fire before Bayleigh Hoffman put the set away, 25-20.
South Alabama grabbed set three to take a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth stanza. However, ULM responded yet again with a dominating 25-19 fourth set triumph.
Tied 13-13 in the decisive fifth set, the Jaguars took advantage of two late kills to put the match to rest.
After registering 60 digs a week ago, Marcela Araya picked up right where she left off with 24 digs from the libero position. The senior from Costa Rica has eclipsed 20 digs 13 times on the year.
Kaitlyn Shearer continues to be a force in the middle, totaling seven kills and a match-high six blocks. Alannah Cullum collected six kills on an efficient .545 hitting percentage, while Hoffman assisted on 35 of the team's 44 kills on the match.
Hadley Swartz just missed a double-double as the sophomore posted 13 digs and nine kills in the effort. Jennifer McClendon and Kimberlie Alvarado each added three kills.
The Warhawks return to the courts Sunday at home against UT Arlington. First serve is set for noon.
