Tech, GSU Volleyball
The Bulldogs posted a 2-1 record in their own tournament defeating Grambling State (3-1) and Lamar (3-1) after falling to Little Rock (3-1) in the opening match of the Louisiana Tech Invitational.
Tech (4-5) defeated its Lincoln Parish neighbor GSU (21-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19) as Sydney Jackwin finished with her second double-double of the season with 18 kills and 15 digs.
McKenzie Johnson became one of the fastest Tech players to ever reach 1,000 career digs, do so in the fourth set of the match. Johnson accomplished the feat in her 221st career set.
“I am beyond proud of the way this team responded tonight against a well-coached Grambling team who is playing very well right now,” said Tech coach Amber McCray. “Syd had the breakout match we’ve been looking for, leading us with 18 kills on .405 hitting. I felt our setters did a great job with their choices and distribution, allowing all of our hitters to step up in crucial moments tonight to make big-time plays. I also have to shout out our floor defense who came up with some incredible saves.’
Grambling State was led by Zariah Messick with 10 kills and Zyonn Smith with nine kills.
Tech defeated Lamar (25-23, 30-32, 25-16, 25-20) in Saturday’s match as Jackwin totaled 20 kills and Carla Esquer added 11 kills for the Bulldogs.
In the opening match of the tournament on Thursday, Little Rock defeated Tech (25-21, 25-23, 9-25, 25-23) despite 14 kills by Jailen Hurley and 10 by Esquer.
Grambling State posted a 1-2 mark in the event, defeating Lamar 3-0 while falling to Little Rock 3-2.
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Tech Soccer
The Bulldog soccer team opened up the weekend with a dominating 8-1 win over Nicholls State Thursday night at the Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
Tech got multiple goals from Lauren Egbuloniu, Kyra Taylor and Kalli Matlock while Flavie Dube and Alma Cedefors each registered one goal apiece.
The Bulldogs outshot the Colonels 21-11 but found the net four times in each half of the win.
“We came out with a purpose tonight,” said Tech head coach Steve Voltz. “We wanted to create chances and score some nice goals, which we did. We had some players score their first goals. These are the types of games we need to have. The results do not tell the whole story because we have been playing well. I got a sense during the short week that the players were focused and going to have a good performance.”
With the win, LA Tech remains unbeaten versus Nicholls State as the Bulldogs own an 8-0-0 advantage in the series. Tech also extended its home unbeaten streak to six games.
Tech then fell 6-2 at Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon. Taylor netted both goals for the Bulldogs, scoring in the 40th minute and the 90th minute of action.
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Tech Golf
Louisiana Tech’s freshman duo of Jack Plumb and Niilo Maki-Petaja anchored the Bulldogs on Sunday as the team shot 288 (E) to finish tied for third after the first round of the Argent Financial Classic.
Plumb and Maki-Petaja shot 69 (-3) and 70 (-2), respectively, as LA Tech officially opened the 2023-24 season on its home course at Squire Creek Country Club.
“I was pleased with today’s round,” said head coach Matt Terry. “Was very glad to be back. It was a lot fun to be out there coaching the guys. I know some of them didn’t play the way they wanted to, but it is part of it. The guys seem to put a little more pressure on themselves because it is a home event and they want to play good. We played good enough to get in there and see what happens tomorrow.”
Plumb shook off back-to-back bogeys to start his round by firing eight birdies in his last 16 holes, including a chip-in on the par four No. 8 and a 50-foot putt on the par three No. 12, to finish the day tied for fifth as an individual.
Meanwhile, Maki-Petaja had a tap-in for birdie for his first collegiate putt on No. 10 and proceeded to play bogey-free golf on the back nine. He ended up shooting 35 on the front nine as well to end the round tied for ninth.
Hunter Battles was the first Bulldog to tee off at approximately 8:20 a.m. After going the first 17 holes with all pars except for a bogey and double bogey, the fifth-year senior closed out his round with a birdie on the par five No. 9 to shoot 74 (+2).
The fourth scored used was that of Lake Juban who shot 75 (+3), getting his lone birdie on the par five No. 5. The top Bulldog individual was Riley Hnatyshyn who recorded two birdies, 13 pars, and three bogeys to shoot 73 (+1).
LA Tech is tied with Southern Miss for third while Central Arkansas and UL-Lafayette are in first and second, respectively.
LA Tech will be back in action today at Squire Creek Country Club for round two of the Argent Financial Classic. The Bulldog individuals tee off between 7:50 – 8:20 a.m. while the team tees off between 11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All pairings will start on Hole 10 with live stats available on Golfstat.com.
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GSU Soccer
The Grambling State University women’s soccer team suffered a setback versus Texas A&M on Thursday night, falling 8-0 to the Aggies.
A&M used a six goal first half to outpace GSU and cruise to the victory.
Texas A&M outshot GSU 34-5. The Aggies placed 19 on goal, while the Tigers put four on frame.
Grambling State fell to 2-3-3 on the season.
