MONROE, La. – The ULM volleyball team lost in four sets to I-20 rival Louisiana Tech, 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22), Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The match featured 16 ties and four lead changes.
In the first set, a kill by sophomore Madeline Davis gave the Techsters their largest lead at 19-11. A kill by junior Taylor Woods sparked a 7-1 run, as the Warhawks pulled within 21-20; however, ULM was unable to retake the lead and Tech closed out the first set 25-23.
In the second set, the Warhawks pulled to within one twice, at 13-12 and 15-14, but Tech scored six of the final eight points to take the frame, 25-19.
There were seven ties and two lead changes alone in the third set. ULM put together a 6-1 run to turn a four-point deficit into a one-point lead at 18-17 on a kill by junior Tara Jenkins. The Warhawks scored five out of the last six points to claim the third set, 25-21. Sophomore Mikaela Worley and junior Catherine Griffith combined for eight kills in the third frame, and senior Kalena Caruthers helped close out the game with three kills in the last four points.
Eight ties and two lead changes highlighted the fourth set. The Techsters jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but the Warhawks rallied to tie the game at 12-12 and again at 17-17. Fifth-year senior Marta Monne and freshman Gina Cortesi combined for eight kills in the fourth set, as Tech closed out the set and match, 25-22.
Monne paced the Techsters with a match-best 19 kills, while sophomore Madeline Davis (11) and Cortesi (13) combined for another 24 kills. Senior Brooke Short also posted a double-double for Tech, finishing with 44 assists and 10 digs.
Griffith hit a team-best .333 (12-3-27) for the match, while senior Jennifer McClendon (10) and Worley (9) combined for 19 kills for the Warhawks. Jenkins also finished with a double-double, recording 36 assists and 13 digs.
"The issue tonight wasn't in closing out sets," ULM head coach Patrick Hiltz said. "In fact, when we had an opportunity to close one out tonight, we did. In the third set, we were strong once we got to the 'red zone' (20 points). The issue tonight was that we kept digging ourselves into a hole and then trying to climb back every time. It's a very tough way to play. I like that we did fight back every time though, and that's a good sign and something to build off of.
"The reality is that we still have players that haven't bought in. We still have players focused on 'me' rather than 'we,' and that's a recipe for trouble. With a new season (Sun Belt play) about to start, we have an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start all over. A chance to put the team in front of everything and everyone else. If we can play the entire conference season as selfless, team-first type of athletes, we have a fighting chance. In fact, a very good chance to reach our goals.
"I have to give a shoutout to all the teams that showed up tonight to support us. It was a great atmosphere, and we certainly fed off the energy our crowd was sending our way. I absolutely love the way our fellow Warhawks show up and support each other as often as possible."
ULM opens Sun Belt play with back-to-back road matches at Georgia State (Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.) and Georgia Southern (Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.).
"I don't think we will sneak up on the Georgia schools this year," Hiltz said. "We need to be ready for them to defend their home court fiercely. The girls know that, and they expect a battle. I feel like our volleyball game is ready. If we bring our mental game and we arrive as one team, one supportive and positive unit, we will be very tough to beat."
