The Book 2006-07 UL Lady Cajuns Volleyball

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University of Louisiana volleyball coach Amy Kraljev is all about the details. That's why her Ragin' Cajun squad spent part of Thursday's practice going over its pre-match routine. "I guess that's a good sign," Kraljev said. "I'm definitely happy with where we are right now, especially after having individual meetings with the players today. I'm anxious to see how they play together." Kraljev will get a lot of those answers this weekend when UL hosts the Capital One Classic at Earl K. Long Gym. The four-team round-robin event begins at 5 p.m. today with pre-tournament favorite Mississippi State meeting Southern Mississippi, followed by the Cajuns facing in-state foe Southeastern La. at approximately 7 p.m. Four more matches are set for Saturday, with UL meeting USM at 2 p.m. and MSU at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-16 each day, with UL students admitted free with ID. The Cajuns have had two and one-half weeks of fall camp in preparation for the home event, and Kraljev said the sixsome that starts tonight's match may be in place for the weekend and longer if preseason drills are any indication. "I'm going to put what I think is our best six out there, and after that it depends on what happens," she said. "We may go like that for a while. We'll just have to see what happens." The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

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LAFAYETTE – A balanced attack carried Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns volleyball team to a 3-0 (30-19, 30-25, 30-22) victory over Southeastern Louisiana here at Earl K. Long Gym in the Capital One Classic. The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-0) had four players tally at least eight kills with Jamie Sinegal and Kim Rodgers leading the way with nine kills apiece. UL also took advantage of numerous SLU attack errors and other miscues. The Lions (0-1) committed 27 attack errors and had a negative hitting percentage in the bookend games of the match. Freshman Rachel Mauti collected a match-high 14 digs for the Cajuns. Rodgers and Jessica Pattison were on target for kills when called upon. Rodgers did not commit an attack error in 17 attempts. Pattison threw down eight kills on 17 attempts with only one error. The victory marked the first season-opening victory for UL head coach Amy Kraljev. The Lions started the match scoring the first four points. The Cajuns rallied for five straight points capped off a kill by Pattison to take a 5-4 lead. With the exception of a couple of tied scores in games two and three, UL lead for the remainder of the match. Game one remained close after a Mauti service error trimmed the Cajuns lead to 12-10. A series of errors by the Lions – two attack errors and a bad set – pushed the UL lead to 16-10. The Cajuns would go on to stretch their lead to as many as 13 points using an 11-4 run to open a 27-14 cushion After a slow start in game one which saw UL get only 10 kills, the Ragin’ Cajuns cruised through game two posting 16 kills and committing only three attack errors The Cajuns raced to a quick 7-2 advantage taking advantage of SLU miscues. The Lions answered with five straight points to pull even. After an 8-8 tie, Jamie Sinegal posted a kill to give the Cajuns a 9-8 lead. The game remained relatively close as the Cajuns get no further than a seven-point edge. SLU trimmed the deficit to 28-25 on a Tara Cote attack error. Back-to-back errors by SLU’s Brittany Pomes gave the Cajuns the two points they needed for the 30-25 win and a 2-0 lead in them match. The Cajuns jumped out to a 9-5 advantage in game three and never let in coasting to the victory despite the Lions cutting the lead to three points a few times. UL would not give in even though the Lions eventually cut the lead to 23-21 on a Lydia Adeosun kill. An attack error by Pomes gave UL the serve and a 24-21 lead. A Rodgers kills put the Cajuns up 27-22 and following a SLU timeout Mauti served up the final three points to clinch the game and match. Mauti got an ace and on the next serve assisted on Sinegal’s final kill of the match to make it 29-22. On Mauti’s next serve SLU setter Maddie Beebe lost control on the set and the ball hit the floor for the 30th and final UL point of the evening. Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns continue action in the Capital One Classic on Saturday with matches against Southern Miss at 2 p.m., and Mississippi State at 7 p.m. LOUISIANA SI

[LuLu]

I went to that game on Friday night. It was a great game! I was most impressed with the large attendance and the "new" gym. Great experience! I can't get over how many people were there.

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Jessica Pattison knew a lot about volleyball before this summer, and she also knew a lot about the University of Louisiana athletic program as vice-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. But five days of interaction with student-athletes from across the country taught her something about leadership ... and about herself. The Maurice native represented UL at the NCAA's annual Leadership Conference, held at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in June. "It really opened my eyes," said Pattison, whose Cajun squad opened its 2006 season Friday and Saturday in its own Capital One Classic tournament. "Getting a chance to share experiences with a lot of people who are in similar situations, it was an amazing experience." Pattison, a former standout at Lafayette High and one of three seniors on UL's roster, was one of 352 athletes from all NCAA competition levels (Divisions I, II and III) selected to participate in the conference. A total of 1,319 student-athletes were nominated by NCAA members, with UL compliance coordinator Kristi Stake nominating Pattison. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[cajunvbmom]

I went to that game on Friday night. It was a great game! I was most impressed with the large attendance and the "new" gym. Great experience! I can't get over how many people were there.

Believe me, no one was more surprised at the attendance than me. Thank you all for your support. The team looks great! They have the tools and the desire to be very successful this season. Please show continued support. Athletes always dig a little deeper when they see a hugh fan base. Several of the girls made comments about coming out of the locker room and seeing so many people in the stands.

Tuesday, Aug.29 at 7:00 pm is your next opportunity.

Geaux Cajuns!

[Turbine]

UL was up 2-0 when I left at half time.

Hey I get up at 2am I don't have the stamina for all 5 games to decide the winner.

[shasta]

cool, ive never been to a UL volleyball game, id like to eventually hit at least one event of every sport, have been to football baseball and basketball thus far, where can we find the schedule for all athletic events? im guessing the official page, but im too tired right now to go look, i really want to hit up a UL golf event next chance i get

[Turbine]

I think it might be a month before the next home game (volleyball)

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A 2-0 game advantage and leads in each of the final three games weren't enough for the University of Louisiana volleyball team Tuesday night. The Cajuns fell victim to Northwestern State's comeback in the final three games, and lost 21-30, 26-30, 30-26, 31-29, 15-12 decision to the Demons at Long Gym. UL (1-3) had an easy first-game win and won six of the last eight points in taking game two for the 2-0 lead. The Cajuns then led most of game three and were up 25-22, and led 21-20 in game four before the Demons (1-0) rallied to square the match. The rest of the story

[shof]

Nice crowd!