Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas – SMU’s ability to outlast Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Volleyball in the second and third set led to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 26-24) win for the Mustangs on Saturday at TCU’s Fight in the Fort.
The two teams played through 21 ties and 10 lead changes over the final two stanzas, with SMU managing to sneak away late both times.
SMU (2-6) led from first serve through the end in the opening set to take the lead over Louisiana (7-4). The Ragin’ Cajuns began their push at the onset of the second set as the teams played through nine ties in the first 18 rallies.
The Mustangs snapped the final tie when a kill from Lexi Nordmann provided a 10-9 edge. Louisiana remained in striking distance, drawing within two points at 21-19 after a Nia Antoine kill, but SMU won four of the last five rallies for a 2-0 match lead.
The Ragin’ Cajuns raced out to a 7-2 lead in the third set, then the Mustangs responded with a similar scoring spree to forge a tie and the race was on. Louisiana later used three straight kills, the first two from Desiree Johnson, to draw even at 24-all. SMU would win both rallies in extra points to close out the match.
LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
The trio of Antoine, Johnson and Hali Wisnoskie each supplied eight kills. Antoine netted her production on just 12 swings.
Antoine, who played error-free and hit .667, posted her fifth match of at least eight kills and a .400-plus hitting percentage.
Libero Sydney Davis led the back row efforts with 16 digs, marking her eighth straight match in double figures. Setter Avery Breaux, who also handed out 18 assists, joined Davis in double figures with 12 digs for her third double-double of the season.
Louisiana received multiple blocks from Antoine (4), Rovira (2) and Julia Pasch (2).
UP NEXT
Louisiana concludes non-conference play in San Diego, Calif., participating in the SDSU/USD Challenge Friday-Saturday, Sept. 14-15.
The Ragin’ Cajuns face USC on Friday at 2 p.m. (CDT) and San Diego on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CDT) at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion, then wrap up the Southern California trip Saturday evening at San Diego State in a 5 p.m. (CDT) match.
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