TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — After winning the first game of a two game series on Friday night, Troy volleyball attempted but could not complete a reverse sweep against Louisiana Saturday in Trojan Arena as the Cajuns took the win, 3-2.
The Raging Cajuns took the first two sets in narrow wins, 25-22 and 25-23. In the break between the second and third sets, head coach Josh Lauer refocused the team on playing their style of volleyball.
“We talked about we have 56 attempts right now and we probably tipped or rolled half of those,” Lauer said. “That’s just not how we play volleyball.”
“I think when we cleaned that up and we got a little more aggressive, it really changed the direction there in the third and fourth set.”
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Momentum would definitely swing, as Troy took the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-15. which would lead to the Trojans’ first fifth set of the season. However, the Troy inexperience compared to Louisiana having four prior five-set matches would hurt the Trojans.
“The fifth set got away from us early,” Lauer said. “We made some aggressive plays that just missed and got a little too far behind in a short set.”
“First five set match for this group, so there’s a lot to learn out of that.”
The Trojans would finish the match with five players having nine or more kills. Two Trojans also had multiple service aces on the game, as Kalina Calvillo would have four service aces, including a streak of three in a row, and Olivia Kwiatowski had three aces herself. Despite the loss, Lauer says there is some positives with the team’s offensive depth, even if it couldn’t fully come together Saturday.
“When we can spread the ball out and have a lot of offensive options cooking, then that’s when we’re our best,” Lauer said. “There was a lot of good throughout the match.”
“We just couldn’t get it consistent enough to be successful tonight.”
Troy now goes to a 6-5 record on the season, tied for fourth in the Sun Belt with the Cajuns. The Trojans head on the road to face Southern Miss Friday and Saturday in Hattiesburg.
