Troy splits conference road series at Louisiana

Troy volleyball split a two-match series against Louisiana last week inside Earl K. Long Gym to bring their record to 2-6 in conference play.  

The Trojans claimed the win on Thursday night 3-1 as Amiah Butler had a career match, hitting .434 and recording 29 kills, shattering her previous high of 24 earlier this season. Butler also recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 10 digs.  

Troy lost set one after having the lead 20-15 and dropping 10 of the final 14 points to close it out.  

Set two belonged to Troy as it built a 17-7 advantage late in the set, with Brooke Forkum scoring a kill followed by an attack error on the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Trojans won set two 25-15 to even the match at one set apiece.  

The Trojans fought hard in set three with three ties, but Butler slammed three kills paired with an untimely service error from Louisiana to give the Trojans a 2-1 advantage.  

Troy claimed an 18-12 lead in the fourth set with the help of Bates’ 100th career service ace. Another ace from Bates extended the Trojans lead to seven and Butler’s 29th kill closed the match for the Trojan win. 

The Trojans had a couple of career bests as Sara Bates became the fifth Trojan in the rally scoring era to reach 100 service aces, Kalina Calvillo scored five service aces for a career-high, and Kayla Baetzel’s recorded a career high of 12 digs. 

“Great team effort tonight led by an amazing performance by Amiah Butler both offensively and defensively,” said head coach Josh Lauer. “Our serving was the difference maker tonight as we had some big runs by Kalina Calvillo and Olivia Kwiatkowski, and clutch aces by Sara Bates and the end of set four. 

“We will enjoy a good road win tonight and get ready for another competitive match tomorrow."  

Friday’s match was a tough loss for the Trojans, as they fell in straight sets to the Ragin’ Cajuns.  

Butler led the Trojans with 10 kills on the night, but her 10 attack errors impeded her performance, as she finished the match with a .000 hitting percentage. 

Louisiana came into the match with a balanced attack from two Ragin’ Cajuns, Grace Sweeney and Marlee Ervin, finishing the match with 10 kills.  

The Trojans had an early lead in the first set but couldn’t hold on as Louisiana led by as much as five on two occasions. Set two featured multiple ties and lead changes, but a run from Louisiana helped them to 2-0 in the match. Set three was the closest of the night as the Trojans claimed a lead late, but timely kills secured the match for Louisiana. 

The Trojans managed to take leads in every set, but their execution kept the Trojans from finishing the series sweep.  

"It was a tough competitive match tonight with great effort on both sides of the net,” said Lauer. “Louisiana executed better than us tonight offensively, and that was the difference in the match.  

“I’m definitely looking forward to being back in Trojan Arena this weekend and celebrating our volleyball alumni."  

The Trojans return home to Trojan Arena on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. in a two-match series against Arkansas State.