LAKE CHARLES, La. -- After blanking Tennessee Tech (2-8) to earn their third straight shutout victory Saturday morning, the ULM Volleyball team (5-8) dropped its first match of the Cowgirl Classic to McNeese State (9-3) in the backend of a doubleheader to finish 3-1 in its final tournament of the season.
ULM 3, Tennessee Tech 0 - Game 11
Sophomores Hadley Swartz and Taylor Zaeske led an attack that catapulted the Warhawks to their third consecutive victory when they knocked off Tennessee Tech in straight sets, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16, Saturday morning.
Zaeske and Swartz both registered 10 kills apiece to lead all scorers for the match. Zaeske eclipsed double-digit kills for the second-straight match and third time all-season.
Tied 23-23 late in the first set, Swartz hit a pair of powerful balls set up by Bayleigh Hoffman to give ULM a first set triumph. After clinching a 25-22 second stanza, the Warhawks dominated the third set 25-16 to put the match away early.
"We got down early by a significant amount but stayed steady," head coach Patrick Hiltz said. "We kept our emotions in check and battled hard. Before long, we were in striking distance and were able to catch them. Winning set one ended up determining the match. I never felt like they (Tech) recovered from the let down of giving up that huge lead. Tech had some tall players and we still found a way to score despite their block. Very proud of the girls for never giving up in that first set."
Seniors Alannah Cullum and Marcela Araya were phenomenal to lead the defense. Cullum recorded a season-high seven of the team's 15 total blocks, while Araya went over 20 digs for the fifth time this year.
Hoffman assisted on 27 of the team's 34 kills to go with six digs in another all-around solid performance.
McNeese State 3, ULM 0 - Game 12
ULM was unable to stay undefeated at the Cowgirls Classic as McNeese State defeated the Warhawks in straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-16).
Swartz amassed a match-high seven kills on 17 swings to lead the offense yet again. Fellow sophomore Hope Pawlik chipped in with six kills and two digs during the effort.
After falling late in the first set to go down, 1-0, the Warhawks clawed their way close in a back-and-forth second stanza. Despite forcing six ties and three lead changes, ULM was unable to pull through in the final two sets.
"McNeese attacked us from the start and were relentless. They broke us down in just about every aspect of the set," Hiltz added. "Even when we recovered in set two to hit .290, they hit a ridiculous .487. They were just better than us every way you look at it. Our techniques, fundamentals and discipline still need to be better if we expect to win set in the fast approaching SBC matchups. We will look to improve on some of those areas Monday."
Araya chipped in with 15 digs to lead the team, her 11th time going over the double-digit dig mark. Hoffman collected 22 assists, while Zaeske added five kills.
The Warhawks wrap up the tournament portion of their schedule boasting a 5-8 record as Grambling St. travels to the Fant Ewing Coliseum, Monday (7:00 p.m.) for ULM's home debut. Admission is free to the public.
Be sure to follow the team socially on Twitter, Instagram (@ULM_VB) and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news, scores and highlights from the Warhawks throughout the season.
