NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The ULM volleyball team fell flat on the opening day in the Stephen F. Austin Invitational with a 3-0 loss (25-13, 25-22, 25-10) to Houston Baptist followed by a 3-2 loss (25-22, 12-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-8) against Grambling State.
 
ULM's offense was rolling early through the first set against Houston Baptist. The Husky offense was able to rally back and take the lead at 12-11. The Warhawks offense was nearly silent for the remainder of the set and HBU closed out the set, 25-13.
 
ULM made improvements on offense in the second set. The Warhawks led 19-18 late in the set. The Huskies found their way back into the game to win, 25-22. Three of their final six points came from Warhawk errors.
 
The Huskies made quick work of ULM to close out the contest. The Warhawks were able to get just six kills in the final set while HBU completed the sweep, 25-10.
 
Against Grambling State, the Warhawk offense looked much more potent. ULM led late in the first set, 21-19, after a kill from freshman Avery Cole. However, Grambling rallied from behind by scoring six of the last seven points in the contest to win the first set, 25-22.
 
ULM picked up momentum after dropping the first set. The Tigers were competitive and remained close to the Warhawks early on. The Warhawks found some breaks due to a number of errors committed by GSU. ULM convincingly won set two, 25-12
 
ULM started slowly in set three. The Tigers scored five straight points to open up the set. The Warhawks' first points came from a Tiger attack error, but kills by senior Cali Assaley and junior Kathryn Raschilla brought the offense to life. Grambling never found its way back into the lead and ULM won its second straight set, 25-19.
 
In set four, ULM stood behind the Tigers for much of the contest, but GSU never ran away with a lead. A kill by Assaley followed by a Tiger error gave ULM an 18-16 lead, its largest of the contest. GSU rallied back in front and ULM tied again late, but the Tigers willed themselves to the win, 25-22.
 
Tied 2-2, the two teams matched each other coming out of the gates in the final set. Grambling edged out a slight lead that grew into the final score of 15-8. ULM went scoreless through the final five plays of the contest.
 
Assaley led in kills through both contests with eight against Houston Baptist and 17 versus Grambling. Freshman Phoebe Stigen posted a season-high 12 kills against the Tigers. Freshman Cameron Rogers tallied 23 digs against Grambling State. Junior Darby Fisher led ULM with 25 assists against the Tigers.
 
ULM finishes their stay in Texas at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against tournament host Stephen F. Austin.