For the second straight match, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns volleyball team couldn't keep pace with the opposition's offense and the result was a straight sets loss to Western Kentucky Sunday afternoon at Earl K. Long Gym.

The Hilltoppers (19-8, 8-3 Sun Belt) used a balanced attacking effort which saw six players record at least 10 attack attempts and all six each record at least four kills. The result was the visitors posting set victories of 25-15, 25-22 and 25-17.

The Ragin' Cajuns (8-19, 2-10 Sun Belt) did themselves harm with 19 attack errors (which included hitting into eight blocks), seven service errors and five reception errors. Louisiana hit below .100 in each set.

WKU held a 43-28 advantage in kills and posted a .237 hitting percentage to the Cajuns' .083. The Toppers picked up the pace in the second and third set, reaching 16 kills each time.

Leading the way for the Ragin' Cajuns was Ariel Krolikowski with nine kills on 23 attempts against three errors. Lindsay Brown was tops in digs for the hosts and tied WKU's Sarah Rogers for a match-high with 17.

The Hilltoppers saw the trio of Tiffany Elmore (10 kills), Brittany Bowen (9 kills) and Jordyn Skinner (9 kills) combine for 28 kills. Each hit above .250 with Elmore leading the way at .400 (10 kills, 2 errors, 20 attempts).

UL actually out-killed WKU in the opening set by a 12-11 count, but hit into six blocks and committed service three service errors. The Toppers erased a 6-5 UL lead after a Kendra Hall service error and Bowen kill gave them a 7-6 lead. WKU stretched the lead with a 5-1 run.

The Cajuns cut the deficit down to four points, three times, with the last coming at 14-10. However, the visitors extended the lead to six points with an Elmore kill and Caroline Dufrene attack error. The closest UL could get the rest of the set was five points.

Louisiana raced out to a 5-1 lead in the second frame as they took advantage of four WKU attack errors. The Hilltoppers battled back with three straight points to create a one-point deficit and begin a series of back-and-forth scores between the two clubs.

The Cajuns broke a 7-all tie with kills from Dufrene and Mandi Gavin and was either tied or leading over the next 14 rallies. WKU broke the trend when a kill by Elmore gave them a 16-15 lead.

A ball handling error by Elmore knotted the score at 16-all, but the Hilltoppers grabbed the momentum back on the next two rallies by getting a kill from Elmore and an ace off the serve of Skinner.

Trailing 20-18, the Cajuns scored on three straight rallies to pull in front 21-20. A kill by Krolikowski got the rally started and a ball handling error on Lauren Stuckel followed by an attack error by Bowen finished it off.

The two teams were tied at 22-all when a kill by Skinner pushed WKU into the lead. UL then self-destructed on the next two rallies - an attack error by Gavin followed by a reception error by Krolikowksi that gave WKU the set and a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Toppers continued their surge in the third set, jumping out to a 9-4 lead and then gradually stretching the lead to 20-10.

Louisiana didn't lie down, though, outscoring WKU 6-2 over the next eight rallies. At one point the Ragin' Cajuns recorded blocks on three straight rallies, all involving Bethany Fogler and Amie Goodwin.

The Toppers scored on three of the next four rallies to finish off the set and match sweep.

Louisiana will look to break its current losing streak on Friday, Oct. 30 as the squad hosts Florida Atlantic at Earl K. Long Gym. The match will start at 7 p.m. The Ragin' Cajuns will then conclude their current four-match homestand on Sunday, Nov. 1 with a 1 p.m., match against the overall Sun Belt Conference leader, FIU.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --