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Volleyball: Louisiana Claims Tournament Title – Cajuns Now 6-1, Best Start Since 1990
Click here for photo gallery http://www.ragincajuns.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?&SPSID=67302&SPID=7574&DB_OEM_ID=15400&PALBID=379669 The University of Louisiana volleyball team continued their strong start with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-12) win over Nicholls State, clinching the 2010 Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational Championship, on Saturday afternoon at Earl K. Long Gym. The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-1) dropped a 25-23 match in set one to the Colonels (3-3), but stormed through the next three sets to complete a perfect 4-0 weekend. The mark is the best for a Cajun squad since 1990 and their first tournament title since the McNeese Cowgirl Roundup in 2002. Junior Lesley Mirarchi capped a career weekend with a team-best 16 kills and five blocks in the victory. Mirarchi was named tournament MVP after securing 48 kills and 14 total blocks in four matches. The All-Tournament honor was Mirarchi’s second of the season after claiming an accolade at the Comfort Suites SHSU Invitational last weekend. Kerrilyn Lazare snagged eight kills in the win over the Colonels, finishing with five block assists. Lazare had 30 kills on the weekend with seven blocks, earning All-Tournament designation. True freshman Taylor Meade picked up an All-Tournament recognition with 25 kills, including her fourth double-double of the year with 10 kills and 13 digs on Saturday. "We got in a hole in the first set and we digged our way out of it," said head coach Heather Mazeitis. "We polished up our defense and most importantly our offense came alive. This team has been steady this entire weekend. I think they have gained confidence going ahead." Nicholls State used a four point run midway through set one before the Cajuns came within one, 23-24. A UL service error secured the 25-23 set one victory for the Colonels. A six point run to start set two, helped the Cajuns gain the momentum early. UL went on a 12-0 run later in the contest, sealing a 25-10 set point. Mirarchi recorded five kills, while Blair Claypoole also notched five in the set. Claypoole finished with a career-high 10 on the afternoon. Despite 13 ties, UL held its own and pulled away late to secure the 25-21 victory in set three. Mirarchi led the squad again with five kills, while Brooke Niland anchored eight digs. Niland finished with 16 digs in the match. The Cajuns rolled with the momentum and made a 12-2 run in the set as UL won the match point, 25-12. Meade managed a set-high four kills, while Lindsay Brown had 10 of her 22 digs on the afternoon. Setter Mandi Gavin finished a strong day with 44 assists and nine digs . Louisiana will have their first mid-week match of the season when they host Southeastern Louisiana at 7:00 p.m. in Earl K. Long Gym.
2010 Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational All-Tournament Team Most Valuable Player: Lesley Mirarchi – Louisiana Louisiana Nicholls State Houston Baptist Jackson State — Ragin’ Cajuns —
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