MONROE, La. – The ULM volleyball team grabbed the second set, but the Ragin' Cajuns bounced back to win the third and fourth sets to defeat the Warhawks, 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-12) Friday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
"Overall, a much better performance from start to finish today compared to last week," ULM head volleyball coach Charlie Olson said. "We really honed in on some of the items we've focused on this week in practice and capitalized on them during the play today."
The first set was tight throughout. The Cajuns and Warhawks were tied at 15 when the Cajuns went on a quick 5-0 spurt to claim a 20-15 advantage. ULM made a push late in the set, getting three straight points to close within two at 20-18. However, the Cajuns responded with five of the next seven points to claim the set, 25-20.
In the second set, the Cajuns led by as much as five points before the Warhawks came back. ULM rattled off five straight points in the set to take a 22-21 lead. With the set tied at 23, the Warhawks came up with back-to-back points, first on a kill by Ina Gosen and later an attack error, to give the Warhawks their first set win at 25-23.
In the third set, ULM was in striking distance early, trailing 9-8. However, the Cajuns used a 5-0 spurt to gain some separation at 15-9. The lead ballooned to nine points at 19-10, as ULM was never closer than five points the rest of the way in the Cajun 25-17 victory.
In the fourth and final set, it was all Cajuns. The Warhawks tried to hang in early, but the Cajuns took control, using an 8-1 run to build some separation at 20-9. The Cajuns went on to take the set, 25-12, and the match, 3-0.
Senior Ina Gosen led ULM with 12 kills, while Haley Coulter had another double-double with 10 kills and 19 digs. McKinley Thiede earned 14 assists while Karson Davis totaled 13 assists.
"Shifting gears to (Saturday), we will make a few adjustments to our game plan and try to do a better job of slowing down their outsides," Olson said. "ULL will make adjustments of their own, but our job will continue to focus on our side of the net and just compete at a higher level."
The Warhawks honored their five seniors following the conclusion of the match: Lauren Appelman, Alix Christie, Haley Coulter, Ina Gosen and Alix Christie.
"It was awesome honoring the seniors after the match tonight," Olson said. "Was it the fairy tale win? No, but they all had an opportunity to compete and represent ULM in front of their family and friends. We had an awesome turnout tonight from our supporters. We appreciate it."
The Warhawks and Ragin' Cajuns wrap up the two-game set at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
