CONWAY, S.C. – It was a rough weekend for the ULM volleyball team, as they closed out the week with another Sun Belt loss. The Warhawks couldn't seem to find their rhythm on Sunday, Sept. 30 in a 3-0 loss to Coastal Carolina.
 
"Setbacks happen," said head coach Russ Friedland. "We can figure out what we need to do better and fix it for the next time we compete. We were challenged this weekend and didn't respond well on the road. We had some of the toughest teams early in our schedule so we know what we need to keep doing well and what we need to improve heading into this next weekend of conference play at home."
 
ULM saw its worst offensive performance of the year on Sunday, hitting an even .000 at the net, managing only one more kill than its match-low (20). The Warhawks, who usually put on a defensive show for the fans, recorded only four blocks in the loss, senior Sarah Woods was the only one to earn multiple block assists.
 
Defensive specialist Albany Schaffer tallied 13 digs, but the Chanticleers posted 47 overall digs compared to the Warhawks' 35.
 
Redshirt-junior Catherine Griffith and junior Mikalea Worley were the only two for ULM to finish the match with a positive attack percentage, hitting .235 and .150 perspectively.
 
Coastal Carolina recorded only 39 kills in the match, nearly the least by a winning opposing team this season. Chanticleers Anett Nemeth and Kyla Manning each reached double-digit kills in the win.
 
"Believe me when I say, we are not done," said Friedland. "There's a lot of volley to be played still and we will continue to strive to get 1% better each and every day we're given the opportunity."
 
The Warhawks took an early lead in set one, but back-to-back rallies by the Chanticleers would give them the 17-14 advantage. CCU would end up scoring 15 of the final 20 points.
 
After dropping set one, 25-17, the Warhawks replied with another early lead in set two. The Chanticleers quickly responded and took a 7-5 lead with three straight kills from Sara Booth, Manning, and Nemeth.
 
Mid-set, ULM looked to be responding well. With a big kill from Griffith and then Lauren Appleman, the Warhawks regained the lead, 18-17.
 
Coastal Carolina wouldn't let ULM in on the victory and rallied to defeat the Warhawks in set two, 25-20.
 
Now trailing 2-0, ULM just couldn't muster the motivation to bounce back in set three. CCU never backed down and lead the Warhawks for the entirety of the final set. The final score of 25-11, would be the Chanticleers largest lead of the night (14 points).
 
ULM returns to Monroe to host South Alabama and Troy in Sun Belt play. The Warhawks kick-off the weekend on Friday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 PM.