MONROE, La. - ULM met Northwestern State in an exhibition match on Saturday, but fell short against the Demons, 4-0.
"This game really gave us the opportunity to see the good, the bad and the ugly," said head coach Charlie Olson.
Olson wanted to use the game to play around with line-ups and really see who could mesh well with each other against a real opponent.
ULM started the first set out strong with a kill by Kate Blasingame to give the Warhawks a 3-2 lead. However, NSU turned up the pressure and forced Olson to call a timeout with ULM down 12-5.
The Warhawks came back with nice offensive play to bring the score within two. A kill by Hannah Brister turned the momentum back in favor of NSU and the Demons went on to win set one, 25-19.
ULM went back on the attack in set two, led by Albany Schaffer and two nicely-timed kills by Blasingame to tie the set at 3. A block assist by Blasingame and Alix Christie gave the Warhawks a 4-3 lead.
"There is no substitute for experience," Olson said. "There's great leadership from our older girls and we need that on the court."
A block assist by Darria Williams and Reagan Lee gave the momentum back to NSU. The Demons went on to score four unanswered points.
With ULM down 18-14, McKinley Thiede and Mikaela Worley blocked a shot to get the Warhawks back on track. The Demons remained stoic and won set two, 25-19.
NSU stayed in control for a majority of set three, but a kill by Hailey Hughes and blocks from Cali Assaley showed Olson that the underclassmen are ready to play as well.
"Everybody has an opportunity to step up on this team," Olson said.
After NSU won set three, 25-13, the Warhawks came out in set four with a vengeance. Another kill by Blasingame and strong attacks by Shaska Davis gave ULM momentum. A dig by Emma Vann and a kill by Worley boosted the Warhawk spirits. A kill by Vann tied the set at 7.
NSU pulled away with seven unanswered points. But the Warhawks weren't done. The last 10 points were the most extreme volleys both teams had seen. However, the Demons pulled out set four, 25-21.
"The last 10 points of the match, you saw what they could do. And that's exciting," Olson said.
NSU won all four sets to win the match.
"We went into this match not really focusing on the opponent," Olson said. "It really gave us an opportunity to focus on ourselves."
The Warhawks will travel to New Orleans for the New Orleans Invitational. Their first matchup will be on Friday at 1 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. ULM will also meet the host Privateers and North Dakota in the tournament.
Visit ULMWarhawks.com for the latest on Warhawk volleyball. You can also find ULM Volleyball on Facebook and Twitter at @ULM_VB.
