Welcome back Cajuns, it’s a new season of women’s volleyball. The 2024 season has started with an exhibition match against Tulane University. It was held Aug. 23, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
At the exhibition, the Cajuns ended up falling short to Tulane with a final of 1-3 (12-25, 25-20, 20-25, 14-5).
Louisiana started off their regular fall season with the Sawyer Camilo Memorial Classic, on Aug. 30, 2024. They went into a thrilling head-to-head battle against Jackson State University.
Louisiana started off strong with a win in the first set with a score of 25-20. Though they lost the momentum from the start, Jackson State claimed a 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 27-25) win on Opening Night of the 2024 season.
Louisiana (0-1) raced out to a 14-5 lead from the opening whistle behind a balanced effort of two kills apiece from Cailin Demps, Lauryn Hill and Jazmine Gaston, then later fended off a Tiger’s comeback to capture an early match lead.
Jackson State pulled itself out of deficits in each of the next two sets to flip the script. With the match lead hanging in the balance in the third set, a kill from Hope Briggs forged a 22-all and marked the first of four straight winners that provided the Tigers the advantage.
Louisiana repeated the quick start in Set 4 by building a 7-1 advantage and reclaimed the lead 22-21 when Cami Hicks was involved in back-to-back blocks—appearing to be on the way to evening the match.
A kill from Demps increased the lead to 23-21, however the Tigers won the next two rallies which set up a back-and forth tussle into extra points before a pair of kills ended the frame in JSU’s favor.
The two teams battled through 22 ties and 12 lead changes over the three sets that decided the contest. JSU benefited from a 56-49 advantage in kills and a higher efficiency (.209 to .142 advantage in hitting percentage.
Louisiana entered the season strong, but with shortcomings. Being short-handed with all-conference setter Siena DeCamra having endured a season-ending injury and a 300-200 kills-dig performer Shiya Richardson sidelined with injury.
Leading the Cajuns, Demps and Gaston shined in their official debut, totaling 13 kills and 12 kills, respectively. With 10 digs added to her stat line, Gaston notched a double-double in her collegiate debut.
Hicks led the charge on the frontline with a match-high five blocks while libero Mio Yamamoto hauled in a match-high 20 digs.
Freshman setter Megan Hawkins served up three aces and was one dig shy of a double-double. She handed out 32 of the Cajuns’ 48 assists.
This past Friday closed out the season opener, but the tournament commenced through Sunday, Sept. 1st. The 2024 women’s volleyball season is starting off in a rough patch, but the determination and the drive of the players is not going unnoticed.
The execution in every play to the teamwork and individuality being shown and brought to life on the court is what is going to give the Cajuns their successful season.