MONROE, La. – ULM volleyball was bested by Southeastern 4-1 (25-16, 14-25, 25-15, 25-19, 15-11) in the club's lone exhibition match of the 2021 season Saturday afternoon at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
After dropping the first set, the Warhawks got off to a hot start in the second set and never lost their lead over the Lions. However, Southeastern bounced back to take the final three sets of the day.
Third-year ULM head coach
Charlie Olson felt that his team has had a successful offseason, and their growth will come as they face new opponents. SLU was ranked third in the Southland conference preseason rankings.
"We were looking to work out a lot of the first-game jitters on our home court and use a ton of lineups to see what we're working with against somebody who is not us." Olson said.
Working with a young team, development is a must early in the season. Seven freshmen made their collegiate debut.
The team's veterans showed up strong in their first showcase of the year. Senior
Cali Assaley started in all five sets, totaling 12 kills. Junior
Darby Fisher tallied 34 of her team's 37 assists.
Other than Fisher and Assaley, no other players started all five sets. The Warhawks were held to a negative hitting percentage in the first set before warming up as the game progressed.
"I think they all embraced the opportunity," Olson said. "Once they had their butterflies go away, they showed they were here to play."
The next challenge for the Warhawks is a grueling road stretch. The first 11 games of the season are on the road. Olson feels that this road trip will be a boost for team chemistry and that the team will undergo "some great growth over the next few weeks."
The Warhawks open the regular season in the Katrinka Crawford Invitational at Lamar. They take on Oral Roberts and Prairie View A&M on Friday before facing Lamar on Saturday.
