Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Playing in a historic arena, Louisiana Tech Volleyball recorded a historic victory.
The Bulldogs delivered their best offensive performance of the season Saturday afternoon, sweeping New Mexico State 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-21) while securing their first Conference USA win of the year.
It was a unique matchup from the get-go as LA Tech (8-18, 1-11 CUSA) faced NM State (14-11, 7-5 CUSA) inside historic Scotty Robertson Memorial Gymnasium, a facility the Bulldogs had not played in since 2013.
It also snapped a 23-match losing streak to the Aggies, dating back to 1996.
“Could not be prouder of these young ladies,” said head coach Scott Mattera. “They have made so much progress but just had not put it all together on match day in conference and to do it today against such a historically good opponent was special.”
LA Tech set the tone early, racing to a 25-14 opening-set win behind the hot hands of Giulia Bonifacio and Megan Cooley, who combined for seven kills with no errors in the frame. The Bulldogs sided out at an impressive 80 percent and never trailed after breaking a 3-3 tie.
The ‘Dogs kept the momentum rolling in a back-and-forth second frame. Holding a 22-21 edge, Zari Gillispie and Gabrielle Hairston teamed up for a key block. Gillispie followed up with a booming kill and then an attack error on the Aggies made it a 3-0 run to close the set out at 25-21.
The third set was just as tight, featuring 12 ties and four lead changes, but the Bulldogs’ balance proved too much. Bonifacio and G. Hairston each delivered timely kills, and LA Tech closed the door with a final surge capped by a thundering Jailen Hurley kill to seal the sweep at 25-23.
“We served so much tougher today and really kept pressure on them all match,” said Mattera. “Giulia was so good in serve receive with us running 2-man in three of our rotations for the first time all year. Next step is to not be satisfied. We have got to build on this and take it forward into these last four matches.”
Bonifacio led a balanced Bulldog attack with nine kills on .467 hitting, while Cooley (eight), Gillispie (seven), and G. Hairston (seven) added to the offense. Sydnee Carter and Emerson Traylor directed the offense, tallying 16 and 15 assists, respectively.
Defensively, Bonifacio was equally as impressive with a team-high 11 digs. The Hairston sisters each posted three blocks as did Gillispie.
