HAMMOND, La. – Louisiana Tech jumped out on top by winning the first two sets, but ULM stormed back to take the match 3-2 on Saturday to close out the Southeastern Showdown at University Center.
 
LA Tech (1-2) took the opening set behind a strong offensive attack that produced a .409 hitting percentage and then followed that up with a clutch effort to overcome three set points to take a 2-0 lead.  However, ULM (2-1) closed strong in the remaining three sets to complete the comeback 3-2 (18-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20, 15-12).
 
The Bulldogs were stellar on offense to start the match, tallying 12 kills (four from Grace Luevanos) on 22 attacks.  Also adding to the firepower was the five service aces, including three by Riley Steubing that helped LA Tech close the set on a 6-1 run to grab the early lead.
 
Neither team could separate from the other in the second set, but it was the Warhawks that ended up with a 24-22 advantage, trying to knot the match up at 1-all.  However, a service error by ULM and a pair of clutch kills by Jailen Hurley helped LA Tech snatch the second set at 27-25.
 
The 'Dogs were poised for another comeback in the third set, using strong defense to generate a 6-1 run and tie it up at 22-22.  But ULM responded after a timeout to win three straight points and get on the scoreboard.
 
The Warhawks led the entire fourth set to set the match to a winner-take-all fifth.  It was a back-and-forth affair until ULM broke a 10-10 tie by winning four of the next five points to help come out on top.
 
LA Tech was led offensively by Gabrielle Hairston (10 kills), Hurley (nine kills), and Luevanos (nine kills), getting a combined 41 assists from Sydnee Carter and Grace Krohn.  Defensively, both Steubing and Luevanos cracked 20 digs with 28 and 20, respectively, while Zari Gillispie tallied a game-high six blocks.
 
ULM had four players with double-digit kills, recording a .120 hitting percentage.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera
 
"Winning would not feel great if losing did not stink.  Down a few key players today while playing against a team with nothing to lose was a recipe for a bad day and we just did not have the juice to overcome it.  We kind of took turns making mistakes at critical times.  It was not really any one thing – it is just building consistency in our mindset and execution because we know our stuff works.  Two bad hours will not blow up eight good months of progress.  We will learn from this and build on it – so excited to be on this journey with these ladies!"
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech now owns a 28-10 advantage over ULM in the all-time series.
• Gabrielle Hairston reached double-digit kills for the third time in her Bulldog career.
• Riley Stuebing recorded a career-high 28 digs, the most by a Bulldog since Sept. 9, 2023 when McKenzie Johnson had 31 versus Lamar.
• Grace Luevanos was one kills shy of a double-double, matching her career high with nine kills while registering 20 digs (second time in her career with 20+ digs in a single match).

UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 2 when the Bulldogs play at Alcorn State.  First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT.
 
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