RUSTON – Louisiana Tech flipped the script Friday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court, defeating rival ULM 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 25-14) as part of the Bulldog Bash.
 
Two weeks ago in Hammond, LA Tech (5-4) built a two-set lead only to see ULM (5-4) rally for a five-set win.  This time, the Bulldogs did not let history repeat itself, grabbing the first two sets again before finishing it off in the fourth to even the season series.
 
The Bulldogs leaned on their balance at the net and suffocating defense.  LA Tech posted 12 total blocks to just three for ULM, while also holding the Warhawks to a .120 hitting percentage.
 
Offensively, three different Bulldogs tallied double-digit kills – Grace Luevanos (12), Jailen Hurley (11), and Gabrielle Hairston (10) – while setters Grace Krohn and Sydnee Carter fueled the attack with a combined 38 assists.
 
LA Tech controlled the opener with efficient hitting and strong service pressure, including a pair of aces from libero Riley Steubing.  Carla Esquer and Hurley provided key swings, combining for seven kills, as the Bulldogs closed the frame on a 4-0 run to take the set 25-18.
 
Both teams showcased their offense in the second set with each squad hitting over .300.  With the Warhawks leading 15-14, the Bulldogs closed the set by winning 11 of the last 16 points with a pair of kills late each by Hurley and Luevanos to win 25-20 and go up 2-0.
 
The Warhawks answered in the third, capitalizing on LA Tech errors late in the set.  Despite five kills by G. Hairston, ULM strung together a 6-1 closing run to avoid the sweep.
 
LA Tech responded with its most dominant set of the night, posting seven blocks and holding ULM to -.059 hitting.  Williams was a force at the net, while Anaya Hairston and Giulia Bonifacio chipped in offensively to seal the match in convincing fashion.
 
Luevanos notched a double-double, adding 12 digs to go along with six blocks.  Also tallying a double-double was Carter who provided 10 digs.  Defensively, Riley Steubing posted a game-high 21 digs while Williams secured a game-high eight blocks.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera
 
On the 3-1 win over ULM…
"It was different kids stepping up.  Tonight, we took turns stepping up.  We saw Jailen [Hurley] really carry us early and then Giulia [Bonafacio] in the fourth game came in and took some really big swings.  Grace [Luevanos] was rolling, started swinging more aggressively.  Our ball control was pretty good, our passing was solid.  It really was a team effort with different people stepping up at different times.  That is who we have to be."
 
On not allowing a deciding fifth set to win like in previous matches…
"In a way, I think last night and the previous match against ULM crept in in a good way.  The demeanor before game four was different.  They got in that huddle and decided we are not doing this again.  We are not waiting until game five.  Their demeanor was fantastic in game four."
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will close out the Bulldog Bash on Saturday with a matchup against Houston Christian inside the Thomas Assembly Center.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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