Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns volleyball team let the good times roll as UL swept Mississippi Valley State 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-16) in a shortened version of the Bon Temps Invitational on Saturday afternoon at Earl K. Long Gym.

The final two matches of the tournament were cancelled due to Tropical Storm Lee moving into the area.

UL improved to 4-2 on the season, notching 47 kills and a .367 average.  Mississippi Valley State (2-2) was held to just 18 kills and a .113 attack percentage.

Junior Mandi Gavin was named tournament MVP, totaling 53 assists in two matches. The setter tossed 27 on Saturday, surpassing Connie Byrnes (2001-02) for third all-time in assists at UL since the rally-scoring era began in 2001. Offensively, Gavin recorded five kills and defensively she picked up five digs.

Lesley Mirarchi had a stellar contest, hitting .550 and throwing down 12 kills in the win. The Plano, Texas product was named to the Bon Temps Invitational All-Tournament team.

Also stepping up on Saturday was sophomore Lavinia Tataran. She recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 10 digs.

Blair Claypoole and Tonice White combined for 15 total kills. White had 17 kills and four blocks in the two-day tournament to earn All-Tournament accolades.

Blocking was another strong suit for Louisiana as freshman Andrea Hole stuffed three blocks against the Devilettes.

The Cajuns opened up the first set with an 11-4 lead and closed out with 25-13 victory. Three Cajuns inked four kills. Gavin’s nine assists moved her up the UL all-time leaderboard.

UL clinched the second set, 25-16, recording a .480 attacking percentage. UL sided out 82 percent in the set and rolled on a 14-to-9 run to go up 2-0 in the contest. Mirarchi and Tataran each tallied four kills and Gavin added another 10 assists in the set.

In the final set, MVSU recorded five consecutive points to take a brief lead. UL went on to score 12 out of the next 15 points to seal the match 25-16. Mirarchi and Claypoole each had four kills as Tataran totaled seven digs in the set.

The next match for the Cajuns will be on Tuesday, Sept. 6 when UL hosts Lamar.  First serve will be at 7 p.m. at Earl K. Long Gym.

2011 Bon Temps Invitational All-Tournament Team

Jane Peterson, L/DS – Mississippi Valley State
Jessica Addicks, MB – Nicholls State
Jasmine Harris, MB –  Nicholls State
Lesley Mirarchi, MB – Louisiana
Tonice White, MB – Louisiana
Mona Reed, OH – Texas Southern
MVP: Mandi Gavin, S – Louisiana

— Ragin’ Cajuns —