After getting off to a slow start, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team stormed back to defeat UALR, 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20), on Senior Day at Earl K. Long Gym.

"It was an awesome win for the girls," head volleyball coach Heather Mazeitis said. "Our girls have battled their way back in these last five games and hopefully this win will put us in the tournament."

The Cajuns (14-18, 6-10 Sun Belt) hit over .200 in each of the final three sets averaging 16 kills in those sets.

With the victory, Louisiana pulls into a four-way tie with Troy, South Alabama and UALR for the final two spots in the Sun Belt Tournament. The tournament seeds are slated to be announced on Sunday night by the conference office.

Senior Lesley Mirarchi posted 11 kills on the afternoon giving her 300-plus kills in back-to-back seasons, while Tonice Williams led the way for the Cajuns offensively hitting .308 with 12 kills and five blocks.

"Lesley has always been a key to everything we do," Mazeitis said. "The unfortunate thing is that other teams know that as well, but she found a way to get her kills in and be a part of the offense and we are very proud of her."

UL quickly fell behind 10-2 in the first set, but battled back to cut the difference four points at 20-16. The Trojans went on to pick up five of the last seven points in the set to take a 1-0 advantage in the match.

In the second set, the Cajuns only trailed once falling behind 9-8 before jumping out a 12-9 edge. Louisiana did not look back going on to take the set 25-20.

Mirarchi and White combined for seven kills early in the third set as the Cajuns got out to a 13-12 lead and held on to win the set 25-23

The Cajuns trailed for much of the final set falling behind 17-11 at one point. UL pulled within two points after kills by Taylor Meade and Kerrylin Lazare (18-16). After two UALR points made the score 20-16, the Ragin' Cajuns ripped off nine straight points to win the contest.

"I have to say how great it has been to coach Kerrilyn Lazare," Mazeitis added. "She came in and showed a lot of tenacity throughout the years she has been here."