The Book 2003-04 UL Lady Cajuns Volleyball

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Louisiana's All-Time Sun Belt Player of the Week

O. 31, 1994        Nia Kiggundu

S. 18, 1995        Nia Kiggundu

O. 9, 1995         Nia Kiggundu

S. 9, 1996         Nia Kiggundu

O. 18, 1999        Priscilla Lima

N. 13, 2000        Amy Kraljev

S. 10, 2001        Clarice Laires

N. 4, 2002         Clarice Laires

N. 3, 2003         Elina Salomaki

 

Louisiana's All-Time Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week

(award began in 2001 season)

S. 24, 2001        Clarice Laires

O. 15, 2001        Janaina Gomes

S. 2, 2002         Clarice Laires

S. 23, 2002        Priscilla Lima

O. 14, 2002        Priscilla Lima

N. 11, 2002        Clarice Laires

N. 3, 2003       Hollie Girouard 

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UL opens four-match road trip Friday at conference-leader New Mexico State

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Louisiana's Lady Cajuns volleyball team continues its push for a spot in the Hardee's Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Tournament here Friday in an 8 p.m. (CST) match against league-leader New Mexico State at the Pan American Center.

The Lady Cajuns (6-18, 2-9 Sun Belt) enter the match on a two-match winning streak after picking up a pair of wins against New Orleans and South Alabama last weekend.

As a result, Louisiana is now just one game behind UNO and Florida International, both with 3-8 league records, for the eighth and final spot in the league tournament heading into the final two weekends of the season.

Friday's match also marks the beginning of four straight road matches to conclude the regular season for the Lady Cajuns. Louisiana wrapped up its home schedule last Sunday against South Alabama.

NMSU (23-4, 11-0 Sun Belt) is arguably one of the hottest teams in the nation right now.

The Aggies enter Friday's match riding a season-high 17-match winning streak overall and have won their last 14 SBC matches dating back to last season. During the streak NMSU has won 51 of 61 games and has posted 11 straight set sweeps.

The Lady Cajuns will be seeking to avenge a 3-1 loss to NMSU earlier this season at Long Gym. So far, Louisiana-Lafayette is 2-0 against SBC West Division counterparts on the second leg of the round robin schedule.

Louisiana will rely on its balanced offensive attack which features six active players who have tallied over 100 kills this season.

Sophomore Elina Salomaki and freshman Hope Webre have been the driving force behind the Cajuns resurgence as of late.

Salomaki, this week's Sun Belt Player of the Week, has tallied double-digit kills in her last five matches and has posted double-doubles in her last two. She leads the team with 2.92 kills per game and 114 total in SBC play.

Webre has stepped up with the absence of Lesley Tough, the team leader in kills per game. The freshman outside hitter had a career-day against UNO last Thursday smashing 24 kills and has 38 kills in her last two outings.

The Aggies lead the all-time series 5-3, having won the last two meetings. Louisiana is winless at the Pan American Center and has been swept in its last two appearances.

Following Friday's match the Cajuns will continue their season-ending four-match road trip on Sunday, Nov. 9 in a 1 p.m. match at Denver.

LOUISIANA SI