STATESBORO, Ga. - The ULM Warhawks rolled into Georgia with a chip on their shoulder and walked out with their first conference win of the season as they defeated Georgia Southern, 3-2, Thursday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.
"This was a total team effort tonight," head coach Charlie Olson said. "To say I'm proud would be an understatement."
The Eagles (6-12, 1-6 Sun Belt) jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set. Lauren Appelman gave the Warhawks (10-12, 1-6 Sun Belt) their first point of the night with a kill. Georgia Southern rolled on to a 20-8 lead in the first set before a kill by Alix Christie turned the momentum back in favor of ULM. Another kill by Appelman brought the Warhawks within six, but it wasn't enough and the Eagles won set one, 25-19.
Christie set ULM on the right path to give the Warhawks their first point of set two. A service ace and a kill by Kate Blasingame gave ULM a 3-2 lead. Georgia Southern bounced back and tied it up, but another kill by Blasingame gave the Warhawks a slight lead.
The two teams would trade points before a kill by Ina Gosen put ULM up by two. The two teams again battled it out and the Eagles tied the set up at 24. A block by Gosen and Blasingame gave the Warhawks set point and a solo block by Christie gave ULM a 27-25 set two win.
"Their crowd was rocking tonight," Olson said. "Georgia Southern was very scrappy."
Set three started out with a battle until Georgia Southern took a 9-5 lead. The Eagles continued the onslaught, but an ace by Gosen put ULM back on track. Georgia Southern took control again and didn't look back, winning set three, 25-19.
Appelman gained the Warhawks their first point of set four with a kill and Kathryn Raschilla was able to tie the set up at five with a kill of her own. The two teams went back-and-forth, but back-to-back service aces by Chloe Carenza gave ULM a one-point lead. The Warhawks rolled on to win set four, 25-19.
A huge block by Raschilla and Hailey Hughes tied set five up at three. The Eagles gained ground and took control, but a kill by Gosen tied the set up at six. Mikaela Worley and Raschilla continued the onslaught before Georgia Southern recovered. Raschilla nailed another kill to give the Warhawks a 15-11 set five win.
"It's time to celebrate with milkshakes and move on to Georgia State," Olson said.
The Warhawks will remain on the road for a 5:30 p.m. matchup on Friday against Georgia State.
Links to live coverage, including video and stats, for Friday's match against Georgia State can be found on the volleyball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com. Follow along with all things Warhawk Volleyball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @ULM_VB.
