Volleyball: Hard-Fought Matches Favor the Opposition in Louisiana Volleyball’™s Opener

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Volleyball fell short in a pair of three-set matches with Incarnate Word and UTEP on the opening day of the 2019 season and The DoubleTree Classic at Earl K. Long Gym. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns (0-2) experienced a near miss in the season-opening match vs. UIW with each frame decided by a 25-23 count in favor of the Cardinals. UIW erased a 20-15 deficit in the opening set, which turned the momentum in the visitor’s favor for the rest of the match.
 
UTEP staged a comeback in both the second and the third sets to complete the sweep of Louisiana by scores of 25-20, 25-21, 25-20 in the nightcap.
 
Miscues prevented the Ragin’ Cajuns from getting their offense on track. Louisiana finished the day with an uncharacteristic .112 hitting percentage (68 K, 40 E, 249 TA).
 
LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Dree’Ana Abram (11) and Hali Wisnoskie (10) reached double digits in kills vs. UIW in leading Louisiana to a 39-38 advantage over the Cardinals.
 
Milayne Danna scooped 16 digs in her debut at libero. Wisnoskie collected 12 digs and Avery Breaux added 15 digs to her 30 assists, giving both season-opening double-doubles.
 
Freshman Celeste Darling took home team-high honors in kills vs. UTEP, landing 10 off 25 swings. Defensively, Danna matched her digs output from earlier in the day and Tia Jade Smith threw up three blocks.
 
UP NEXT
Louisiana completes the opening weekend of the 2019 season on Saturday meeting Tulane (2-0) in the final match of The DoubleTree Classic at Earl K. Long Gym. First serve is set for 12:30 p.m.

Links for live stats and live video can be found at RaginCajuns.com/2019VB and updates will be provided on the Louisiana Volleyball Twitter account (@RaginCajunsVB).

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