MONROE, La. – The ULM volleyball team will host their in-state rival, the Ragin' Cajuns, at 6 p.m. on Friday in Fant-Ewing Coliseum in the final home match of the season before traveling to Lafayette and taking on the Ragin' Cajuns again at noon on Sunday.
"This focuses us," head coach Charlie Olson said. "We're only having to focus on one team this week. It's us against them and this is the only game that matters this week."
The Warhawks (11-17, 1-11 Sun Belt) will be led by Mikaela Worley and Kate Blasingame. Worley leads the team with 258 kills for an average of 2.87 kills per set. Blasingame is averaging 2.57 kills per set, leads the team with 30 service aces and also has 266 digs for an average of 2.99 digs per set.
Worley and Blasingame will be joined by McKinley Thiede, who has 508 assists this season for an average of 5.35 assists per set, and Alix Christie, who leads the team with 70 blocks. Madeline Hogan is riding a hot streak as of late with 183 digs on the season for an average of three digs per set.
The Ragin' Cajuns (10-15, 6-6 Sun Belt) recently suffered a 3-2 loss against UT Arlington, but bounced back and defeated Texas State in five sets.
"We gave them great game film on Texas State," Olson said. "We exploited Texas State's weaknesses and ULL used that game film to their advantage to beat Texas State."
Avery Breaux will lead the Ragin' Cajuns with 8.04 assists per set and leads the team with 19 service aces. Hali Wisnoskie leads the Ragin' Cajun attack with 266 kills for an average of 2.92 kills per set.
Other key players include Hannah Ramirez and Tia Jade Smith. Ramirez leads the team with 4.45 digs per set and Smith leads the teams with 74 blocks.
"They serve really tough," Olson said. "They also run a different defensive setting than any other team in the conference. Smith can block anywhere from the middle all the way to the right side. It's pretty incredible."
Links to live coverage, including video and stats, for Friday and Sunday's games against the Ragin' Cajuns 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.
