The Book 2006-07 UL Lady Cajuns Volleyball

[cajunvbmom]

I think the problem till now for some of the matches was stamina, or lack thereof.

Congrats on the win.

The girls had the conditioning and stamina, their hurdle was more a mental issue. The tournament in Arlington would have had a much different outcome had they not experienced a few moments of lack of focus because those mental mistakes proved costly in the close matches.

This should be a turning point ... I wish I could be there for the match against Lamar. Good Luck ladies!

Support Ragin' Cajun Volleyball!

GEAUX CAJUNS!

[breena1]

I think the problem till now for some of the matches was stamina, or lack thereof.

Congrats on the win.

The problem wasn't the stamina the girls can and has gone the distance it's all about minimizing the mistakes and being mentally strong/smart at every game. Also the girls need to come out strong at every game and leave everything on the floor.

[Turbine]

The problem wasn't the stamina the girls can and has gone the distance it's all about minimizing the mistakes and being mentally strong/smart at every game. Also the girls need to come out strong at every game and leave everything on the floor.

Thanks

Thats what I get for over analyzing the losses.

I had done a spread sheet before the tournament championship and at the time the thing that seemed to jump out at me was how (all the losses combined) UL was only outscored by 8 in the 2nd games but out was out scored by 42 in the 3rd games. I wrongly jumped to the conclusion that it was stamina.

Where I really messed up was in not looking at the 4th game where the Lady Cajuns were even up.

I don't want to talk about 5th games. :o

[NewsCopy]

Snapping a seven-match losing streak was more of a mental accomplishment than anything else, according to University of Louisiana volleyball coach Amy Kraljev. "There's not a magic pill or something that you can turn on like a switch," Kraljev said. "We just have to expect a certain level of play when we get on the court, and that level needs to be higher than it was." Kraljev's team found that level with two wins last week over Jackson State and Southeastern Louisiana, and the Cajuns (3-7) will be looking to find that level again at 7 p.m. tonight when they host Lamar at Long Gym. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[cajunvbmom]

SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF! LET'S START STRONG AND FINISH BIG!

GEAUX CAJUNS!

VB MOM

[NewsCopy]

It wasn't the way the University of Louisiana volleyball team wanted to go into Sun Belt Conference play - off a disappointing loss and losing one of its top players at the same time. The Cajuns dropped a 30-28, 28-30, 30-20, 30-28 match to Lamar (4-10) Tuesday night at Long Gym, snapping a two-match win streak heading into Friday's league opener at Florida International. UL (3-8) also likely lost senior hitter Jessica Pattison for the balance of the season, with the Lafayette High product breaking her thumb in the third game. With her absence, the Cajuns were out of rotation and out of momentum in that game, and the visiting Cardinals took advantage in rallying from a 10-7 deficit to an easy win. "They were all so concerned about her that they forgot they had a match to play," said UL coach Amy Kraljev. "We couldn't focus. We had to play people out of position, but Division I athletes have to be able to come into any situation. Instead we got overwhelmed." The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

The deck is definitely stacked against the University of Louisiana volleyball team for tonight's Sun Belt Conference opener. The Cajuns have lost eight of their last 10 matches, one of the most disappointing coming on Tuesday at home in their last outing, and they'll meet one of the Sun Belt's hottest teams at 6 p.m. today when they face Florida International at Golden Panther Arena. They'll also be short-handed - specifically, Jessica Pattison's injured hand. Pattison, a senior from Lafayette High whose career has been plagued by injuries, broke her thumb during Tuesday's four-game loss to Lamar at Long Gym. She is likely out for the season, leaving UL (3-8) with a hole at the right-side hitting slot. "You can only stretch so many players so far," said Cajun coach Amy Kraljev. "We know we can be a much stronger team, but we've got to work on execution and find something to build our confidence a little." The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[cajunvbmom]

Okay...so we hit a hurdle...let's come together and get over it. They are also experiencing some usage injuries with the remaing players but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Everyone on this volleyball team, from the freshman to the seniors needs to get serious and play agressively with heart and determination. At this point they could be their own worst opponent. I could state hundreds of cliche's to motivate these ladies but it has to come from within. I believe this group is capable of overcoming these set-backs and I hope the stands at EK Long will be full of supporters when the teams returns to play at home Sept. 29th and 30th.

GEAUX CAJUNS!

[breena1]

This guy that wrote this article must be from Florida, you did more negative overtones then anything. I really want to thank you for your unwavering support. The girls know this is a set-back but you as a sport writer should know that one person doesn't make a team. Yes, I'm sorry as I know the girls are about Jessica's injury but in this article you are implying that without Jessica this team doesn't have a prayer. I think that's false. Did you know Jessica hadn't been playing in all the games because her knee injury? The girls have adjusted maybe they was taken aback at the moment but please don't dig a hole for them if you suppose be an objective writer. Hey, here's a thought they have other players that can play and has player competitive volleyball and has seen injuries before let me name a few Erika, Jamie, Liz, Kim and the rest of the team. When you mention Jamie maybe she wasn't getting sets or she had an off night. Dan, in volleyball this does happen that is one reason everyone needs to be involved and not rely on one person. Volleyball is a TEAM sport not an individual sport. So in your next articles try not to be so critical. Also remember their are other girls from other states that can play the game and play darn well.

Maybe the coaching staff and university needs to look at where the girls play there pre-season games so they can have that momentum going into conference play. Who and how you play carries into your conference play. I'm not saying you have to win every pre-season game but if you play harder teams outside your conference this may help you prepare and gives you that mental edge you can always reveiw the tapes to see what or how you did as a whole.

Girls, I'm truly sorry that Jessica is hurt but as collegiate players and hopefully former club players you have seen an injury before so you all as a whole need to get focus on the game this injury to Jessica doesn't stop the season unless you want it too. Even when or if the coaching staff may say they have three leaders( who are upperclassmen like Jessica, Kim or Tara) that they keep mentioning, all of you are leaders it's time to prove them wrong. You all need to remember to play team ball instead of individually this wins game. Let you ability and skills speak for themselves, if by chance some of you have gotten an attitude like you are the ______ drop it and play team ball. If you think that you're that good, I would like to see you compete by yourself against six other players from a team and see how far you get without a team. As I said before you can play ball please act like it and play as a unit. The conference is still young don't give up on yourself ;we won't. The desire comes from within; you must want it ; own it and say we can and leave all of it on the volleyball court. Don't just go through the motion, constantly talk while you're on the court, cover your on space, constantly move and be ready to play. Come to each game fired up! You have it!! Bring the desire and passion to every game and keep the mistakes to a minimum. Please don't wait for someone to praise or pat you on the back let your skills, ability and mental toughest speak for themselves this will quiet the critics. Life is never easy so let's kick some ( you know what I mean) at the remaining games. Never! Never give up!

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns volleyball team continues its current homestand on Wednesday, Oct. 4, with a 7 p.m., match against in-state rival New Orleans at Earl K. Long Gym. The Ragin’ Cajuns (4-11, 1-3 Sun Belt) are 0-2 on the five-match homestand. UL was swept in straight sets by Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock last weekend. Halting a homecourt losing streak is a must if UL is to have any success on the homestand. The Cajuns enter Wednesday’s match having lost six straight at Long Gym. Injuries have hampered UL lately. Jessica Pattison was already sidelined for last weekend’s matches, but adding to the woes was an injury to starting setter Tara Cote in practice earlier last week. Cote missed the ASU and UALR matches and the Cajuns missed her leadership. Until Cote and Pattison (hand injury vs. Lamar) return, the Cajuns will have to rely on their balanced attack. Jamie Sinegal leads the quartet of four Cajuns averaging at least 2.40 kills per game. Sinegal averages 3.05 kills (168 actual) and is closely shadowed by Kim Rodgers at 2.85 kills per game and Elizabeth Inman at 2.83 kills per game. UL is seeking to rebound from a sluggish performance against UALR last Saturday. The Cajuns were their own enemy with 27 attack errors and 16 service errors. At 1-3 in the Sun Belt West Division the Cajuns are in danger of falling out of the division race with a stretch of six straight road matches on the horizon. A win over UNO (13-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) could be the boost the Cajuns need to end the homestand in style and move their league record over .500 for the first time this season. UNO has struggled on the road in Sun Belt play thus far. The Privateers were winless on the FIU-FAU road swing Sept. 24-25. The Privateers rebounded with a pair of wins over ASU and UALR at home last weekend and are now in search of their third straight victory. Sophomore outside hitter Dobrilla Kovacevic paces the Privateers with 220 total kills. The Ragin’ Cajuns and Privateers are meeting for the first time since the 2004 season. UNO’s 2005 season was cancelled due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina after only four matches. The last time the two teams met at Long Gym was Oct. 6, 2004. The Privateers won 3-1 (30-26, 30-22, 28-30, 30-24) to win in Lafayette for the first time since 1993. UNO leads the all-time series 40-31 and has won the last two meetings. Following Wednesday’s match the Ragin’ Cajuns will wrap up their homestand over the weekend. UL will host Troy at 7 p.m., on Friday and then meet South Alabama at 5 p.m., on Saturday. LOUISIANA SI