RUSTON, La. - After winning their first game of the Louisiana Tech Invitational, the ULM Warhawks defeated Nicholls State 3-0 early on day two before falling to the host Lady Techsters, 3-0, to finish 2-1 on the weekend.

"This weekend, we made strides in a few aspects of the game we worked on during the week," head coach Charlie Olson said. "We're excited to come out 2-1 overall on the weekend. This team is just getting started."

As the game against the Colonels (6-2) started, Kate Blasingame started with a bang, nailing a kill to give ULM (6-4) the first point of the match. Nicholls wouldn't back down and traded points with the Warhawks until Kathryn Raschilla hit a kill to give ULM a 12-10 lead.

Later in the set, Darby Fisher would set the ball nicely and allow Mikaela Worley to gain a kill for the Warhawks and keep ULM in the lead, 17-14. After the Colonels bounced back, a bad set by the Warhawks tied the set at 18, but Ina Gosen hit a kill to give ULM a one point lead. Raschilla would earn a kill to wrap up set one for the Warhawks, 25-21.

Blasingame would again give ULM the first point in set two with a kill, but Nicholls was ready and jumped out to a quick lead. The Warhawks bounced back and a service ace by Katie McKay gave ULM a 6-5 lead.

The two teams traded points with each other until the Colonels scored five unanswered points. ULM fought back. A kill by Blasingame would pull the Warhawks within one and an attack error by Nicholls tied the set at 17.

The quick back-and-forth action continued until another kill by Blasingame would give ULM a 23-22 lead. A couple of points later, Kimberly Iwunze nailed a kill for Nicholls to tie the game at 25. However, Worley would end the set in favor of the Warhawks, 28-26.

ULM jumped out to a quick start in set three. Kills by Blasingame, Raschilla and Worley gave the Warhawks a 7-4 lead. Later in the set, Blasingame served back-to-back aces to build the lead for ULM before Emma Vann hit a kill to give the Warhawks a 15-9 lead. ULM rolled on to a 25-19 win, sweeping the Colonels.

"We were very happy with the outcome," Olson said. "We controlled the tempo of the match from our first touch on the ball."

After a gritty game against Nicholls, ULM still had to contend with I-20 rival Louisiana Tech. The Warhawks jumped out to a 3-1 lead in set one before the Lady Techsters (7-3) started to mount a comeback. A kill by Blasingame kept ULM in the lead, 8-6.

Tech took control and took the lead, but a kill by Worley would bring the Warhawks within three. Later in the set, a ball handling error by the Lady Techsters tied the set at 22. However, it wasn't enough at Tech took set one, 26-24.

The Lady Techsters started set two strong, but a kill by Gosen would allow ULM to only be down by two. After a kill by Blasingame later in the set, Tech scored six unanswered points. A kill by Alix Christie tried to shift the momentum back in ULM's favor, but Tech took set two, 25-17.

"We just couldn't get long rallies to end in our favor and lacked the offensive prowess we possessed earlier in the morning," Olson said.

Tech started set three with a 5-0 lead, but two Lady Techsters attack errors and a kill by Gosen brought ULM back, down 6-3. Kills by Hailey Hughes, Fisher and Blasingame brought the Warhawks within three, but Tech remained in control. The Lady Techsters would take set three, 25-16, sweeping the Warhawks.

"I'm so glad we get to face (Tech) in our gym later this season and give us a chance for redemption," Olson said.

After the tournament concluded, Blasingame and Worley were both given all-tournament recognition.

"The solid play from Kate and Mikaela continue to help us produce points," Olson said.

Worley played in all three games this weekend and ended the tournament with 29 kills and 21 digs. She also had one solo block and one block assist.

Blasingame competed in the Nicholls and Louisiana Tech games and ended with 24 kills and 14 digs. She also gained three service aces, two solo blocks and two block assists.

"They are excellent bookends that help stabilize our offense," Olson said.

This is the second time the two ladies have garnered all-tournament recognition during this season. They earned recognition during the New Orleans Invitational earlier in the season.

The Warhawks will travel to Lake Charles Friday to take on Grambling State at 3:30 p.m. followed by McNeese State at 6 p.m. ULM will then turn around on Sunday and take on McNeese State again in Fant-Ewing for the first home game of the season at 1 p.m.

"We look forward to making adjustments this week in practice and taking this loss against Tech as a step forward," Olson said.

Links to live coverage, including live stats, for the two games in Lake Charles 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.