Louisiana Tech Volleyball Launches 2025 Season
HAMMOND, La. – The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs began their 2025 volleyball season amid excitement and competition at the Southeastern Showdown, splitting their matches on day one. They triumphed over Jackson State in a five-set spectacle but faced a defeat against the host team, Southeastern.
Match Overview
Match One: LA Tech vs. Jackson State
The Bulldogs showcased resilience in their opening match, edging out Jackson State with a scoreline of 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 22-25, 25-17, 15-11). The game was characterized by intense rallies and critical blocks, marking a memorable start to the season.
- Defensive Highlights: LA Tech recorded 21 blocks, a strong performance driven by Charlize Williams, who alone had 12 blocks.
- Offensive Contributions: Jailen Hurley played a pivotal role, accumulating 11 kills, supported by Grace Krohn, Kaeden Robinson, and others with an impressive combined 34 assists.
After dropping the first set, the Bulldogs rallied, with pivotal blocks from Williams guiding them to a 25-22 win in the first set. Although Jackson State took the second and third sets, LA Tech displayed dominance in the fourth, setting up for a decisive fifth set where they secured victory with a 15-11 final score.
Match Two: LA Tech vs. Southeastern
In a stark contrast to their earlier match, the Bulldogs fell to Southeastern in straight sets, with the scores at 25-20, 25-19, and 25-13. Despite a decent .228 hitting percentage, LA Tech was overshadowed by the Lions, who reached .348.
- Top Performers: Hurley contributed significantly with 12 kills, and Kaeden Robinson reached double digits in digs once more, with 10.
- Set Performance: LA Tech showed promise, but long scoring runs from Southeastern hindered their ability to build momentum.
Coach Insights
Head coach Scott Mattera reflected on the matches, stating:
“It certainly looked like a first match in the first few games, but credit Jackson State – that is a nice team that won 19 matches last year and made the postseason NIVT. We finally got the offense a bit more on track and just played with a lot more confidence.”
On the loss to Southeastern, he added:
“Our ‘A’ can hang, they just showed their ‘A’ game a lot more consistently.”
Key Statistics
- LA Tech holds a 14-1 record against Jackson State, including 11 consecutive victories.
- The team’s 21 blocks against Jackson State ranks as the fifth highest in program history.
- Charlize Williams set a personal best with 12 blocks, positioning her among the program’s elite.
- Hurley has now reached double-digit kills in 13 matches throughout her career at LA Tech.
- Freshman Sydnee Carter started two matches, logging double-digit assists in both contests.
Looking Ahead
Louisiana Tech will continue its campaign at the Southeastern Showdown, taking on ULM next. The match is scheduled for August 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. CT. Fans can follow live stats through LATechSports.com/Stats.
Support Louisiana Tech Athletics
Championships depend on robust support systems. Fans can make a positive impact on LA Tech Athletics through various initiatives including the LTAC and CHAMP Fund, designed to enhance resources for student-athletes. For more details, visit BuildTheLegacy.com.
Stay Connected
For updates on Bulldog Volleyball, follow LA Tech on social media: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
