THE BASICS
Scores: ULM 0 – Tennessee 3
(21-25, 12-25, 16-25)
ULM 0 - Cincinnati (Ohio) 3
(21-25, 13-25, 23-25)
Records: ULM (0-3)
Tennessee (2-0)
Cincinnati (2-1)
Location: Knoxville, Tenn. (Thompson-Boling Arena)
Monroe, La. – The ULM volleyball team closed out the Tennessee Invitational with two 3-0 losses to Tennessee and Cincinnati.
HOW IT HAPPENED
ULM v. Tennessee
The Warhawks kept a tight score at the beginning of set one but Tennessee was able to put together three point scoring runs that kept the Warhawks just out of reach.
Set two, UT went on a four-point run right off the bat before ULM could get their feet under them. The Warhawks were unable to close the scoring gap as Tennessee improved two sets to none.
ULM continued to fight through the third set but UT stayed just out of reach and closed the match for a 3-0 sweep.
ULM v. Cincinnati
Set one, the Warhawks struggled to get things going against Cincinnati as the Bearcats held the lead through the entirety of the set.
Set two, ULM held its own until the Bearcats capitalized on a five-point run that gave them the advantage.
The Warhawks took an immediate lead in set three and kept Cincinnati at bay until the score was tied at 19. After the Bearcats tied the score, Cincinnati made their move to overtake ULM and close out the match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
ULM v. Tennessee
-ULM notched its highest hitting percentage as a team in set one (0.242) along with the team's highest number of kills in a set (16).
-ULM tied the score three times in set one.
-Hope Pawlik led the team with nine kills and five digs.
-Kacey LeBlanc led the defense with 10 digs in the match.
-Kaitlyn Shearer had the best hitting percentage of the team at 0.500 with four kills off of six total attempts and only one error.
ULM v. Cincinnati
-ULM notched its highest hitting percentage as a team in set three (0.148).
-ULM recorded eight kills as a team in both the first and third sets.
-Hope Pawlik led the team with seven kills and seven digs.
-Tara Jenkins fed the offense with 13 total assists for an average of 4.33 assists per set.
-Kacey LeBlanc led the defense with eight digs in the match.
FROM COACH HILTZ
From the Tennessee Match: “We identified some areas that needed improvement from last night and decided to commit to improving those areas. For the Tennessee match, we chose defense as the target area. While it may not show in the numbers, our defensive effort was much better today. Tennessee is a good team and they certainly can do a lot of things very well. Our serving was more aggressive which was needed. Our energy was fantastic again and the overall flow of play was much better. Less chaotic in all areas.”
From the Cincinnati Match: “Much like the noon game. Except that our block came back to life again. First set we actually gave way. Six crucial errors off of free balls from the other team really was the difference. Obvious let up on our part in the second set but I'm really happy with the way we controlled the third set. We had some serve receive issues in a couple of rotations that let them back in the match but outside of that we were in control.”
Attitude: “Our energy was fantastic once again from player one through player 15 on the bench. We are into every play mentally and emotionally and over the course of the season that is going to be something we must have. We can fix the fundamental stuff. I'm very pleased with how much the players on this team are bought in and playing hard for each other.”
About the Weekend: “This weekend really prepared us for the rest of preseason. We have plenty to work on in practice before heading to NSU on Wednesday.”
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will now prepare for a midweek game against Northwestern State on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.
