LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – Tarleton State volleyball dropped their second game of Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic in four sets, (26-28, 25-14,15-25, 25-16) to the host, Louisiana on Saturday afternoon in Earl K. Long Gym.
The Texans are 1-1 in tournament play with one more match scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
LaNeah Lara matched career high performance from the day before with 13 points and 12 kills on 40 attack attempts. Teya Nguyen tallied a team-high 16 assists.
The Texans opened the match in a back-and-forth battle with the Ragin' Cajuns, trading points through the first nine rallies until an attack error allowed Tarleton State to edge ahead. Kills from Madison Frank and Taylynn Biggs helped the Texans hold their advantage, but a four-point surge by Louisiana brought the set back within reach. Timely kills from the Cajuns' Demps and Gaston leveled the score at 24-24, setting up a tense finish. Frank delivered a key point to keep Tarleton alive, but a late attack error by Nguyen sealed the set for Louisiana, 28-26.
From the first serve, Tarleton dominated the second set, taking advantage of Louisiana errors and consistent offensive output to win 25–14. After exchanging early points, the Texans went on a 10–2 run thanks to kills from Frank, Biggs, and Lara. While Emma Burke and Lara worked together to make crucial blocks to stall Louisiana's attack, Nguyen put in a well-rounded effort, contributing both kills and setting up teammates. Tarleton State finished the set with a victory, tying the match at one set each with two key points from Frank and Madison Rice-Locket late in the frame.
Tarleton State lost 25–15 after Louisiana took back the lead in the third set after he was unable to overcome a run of attack mistakes. Megan Hodges contributed a service ace and two assists during that time, while Breannah Peterson and Rice-Locket combined for three early kills to hold the Texans within 13–11. Emma Burke and Rice-Locket combined for a block at the net, and Frank and Lara each earned kills to halt short
Cajun runs. However, Louisiana was able to pull away behind a balanced attack from Demps, Gilmore, and Gaston.
Tarleton State fought to win the fourth set, but Louisiana won 25–16 to end the match. Nguyen had two assists and a kill during a mid-set surge that reduced the deficit to 18–14, while Frank and Lara combined for five kills to pace the Texans. Morgan Carter contributed a late kill, and Peterson and Hodges scored points at the net, but Louisiana's consistent attack helped lead to The Cajuns victory. Tarleton State ended the match in four sets and failing to overcome the Ragin' Cajuns' late serving surge, despite strong defensive efforts that included blocks from Burke and Rice-Locket.
The Texans will close out tournament play against Texas Southern on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in Earl K. Long Gym.
