LAFAYETTE, La. – The ULM volleyball team failed to take advantage of a wild second set win as it fell, 3-1 (25-14, 27-29, 25-22, 25-18), to the Ragin' Cajuns Friday night at Earl K. Long Gym.
 
In the first set, the Ragin' Cajuns (14-11 overall, 5-6 Sun Belt) jumped out to an 8-3 start. The Warhawks (4-21, 0-11) were unable to keep up as the Cajuns used scoring runs of 4-1 and 6-1 to take the first set with ease.
 
Set two was a complete turn-around from the first. After the Cajuns held a 6-3 lead, ULM scored six points in a row to take the lead. The Cajuns were able to tie the game at 11-11, but the Warhawks responded with four-straight points to reestablish control going into the media timeout.
 
The Warhawks held onto a three-point lead at 22-19, but the Cajuns produced a 5-1 run to put it to set-point. ULM scored two straight to retake the lead. With the two teams fighting to a 27-27 standstill, the Warhawks claimed the set with two straight kills from Ariana Brown and Madeline Villarreal.
 
The Cajuns repeated their strategy from the first set by storming out to a 10-4 lead. They remained in control throughout the set and at one point held a 22-13 lead. The Warhawks weren't done yet as they went on a 9-2 scoring run to narrow the gap to two. After a timeout by the Cajuns, they were able to win the set with an attack error from ULM.
 
In the fourth set, the Cajuns again started fast, this time with a 10-5 lead. With the score at 12-8 in favor of the Cajuns, they went on a 4-1 run to hold a seven-point lead. Another 5-1 run put them up by ten. Although the Warhawks were able to put together a 5-1 run of their own, it wasn't enough as the Cajuns won the set and the match.
 
Despite the loss, ULM had three players reach double-digit kills with Brynn Botkin leading the way with 17. Botkin also produced 17 digs which was second on the team. Bailey Roberson had 24 assists, and Cameron Rogers had 19 digs.
 
The Warhawks will try to score a series split at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lafayette.