Bulldogs Defeat Monarchs in Five, Win First Sun Belt Match

Saturday, October 31

Ruston, LA

11 a.m.

Louisiana Tech University

9-18,1-11Sun Belt

Old Dominion

5-18,1-11Sun Belt

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Old Dominion	25	21	26	21	9	2
Louisiana Tech	19	25	24	25	15	3

Travel

10/31/2026 2:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Louisiana Tech volleyball notched their first Sun Belt win of the season, defeating Old Dominion in a five-set clash in the Thomas Assembly Center Saturday afternoon.

By: Gabe Walker

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech volleyball notched their first Sun Belt win of the season, defeating Old Dominion in a five-set clash in the Thomas Assembly Center Saturday afternoon.

Tyra McKinnie's serving propelled the Bulldogs past the Monarchs in the fourth set, winning eight points in a row to force the pivotal game five.

Taylor Woods led the team with 16 kills, while four other Bulldogs notched at least eight kills. Jenna Hehman set a new career high with nine kills, one short of a double-double with her 11 digs.

The Bulldogs faced an early deficit in the first set, training by five entering the media timeout. A late run brought the point within two, but the Monarchs stayed resilient, winning the set 25-19. Eight Bulldogs registered a kill, while Sydnee Carter led the team with six assists.

LA Tech flipped the script in the second set, leading by five at the media after scoring the opening point. ODU found momentum, tying the match at 21, but four straight Bulldogs points would give them the set and tie the match. Woods found five kills on six attempts, while Grace Krohn dished seven assists.

The third set was tightly contested with eight ties. ODU led as much as five early, but the Bulldogs sprung an 8-2 run to take a one-point lead midway through the set. The score would bounce back and forth with LA Tech one point from gaining match point, 24-23. ODU found life, scoring three straight to take the set. Riley Steubing fortified the backline, notching eight digs in the point.

In a pivotal fourth set, the Bulldogs led by as much as five early, but ODU would tie it 15-15 midway through. The Monarchs took a 21-17 lead, but the set was over once the ball was in McKinnie's hands. The 'Dogs would rip an 8-0 run, led by McKinnie's two aces and excellent placement.

LA Tech dominated the fifth set, leading as much as six after two ODU timeouts. Gabrielle Hairston's kill capitalized the match, 15-10, as the Bulldogs win their first Sun Belt match of the season.

Anaya Hairston notched seven blocks, totaling 12 as a team. Carter and Krohn tied for the lead with 24 assists, while Carter sits five short of 1,000 in her career.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera
It is not just that we won today, it is how we won today. With our backs against the wall, we could have let that match slip away easily. We came back in game four, had immense confidence in game five and really fought through some stuff. A match like that can be a breakthrough for us if we let it.

NOTABLES

Jenna Hehman notched a career high nine kills.
Sydnee Carter sits at 995 career assists, five short of the 1k club.
Hehman was one kill away from her first career double-double, finishing with 11.
Taylor Woods led the team with 16 kills, one short of her career high.
This marks the first win for LA Tech in the Sun Belt this season, the first since rejoining the conference.
Louisiana Tech never trailed in the pivotal fifth set.

UP NEXT
LA Tech hosts Arkansas State in the Thomas Assembly Center from Nov. 6-7, celebrating the seniors on Saturday afternoon. The matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and admission to the matches is free.

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