LAFAYETTE, LA. – Jax State is set for their final non-conference tournament of the 2024 season. The Gamecocks will head to Lafayette, La., for the Ragin' Cajuns Classic where they will play Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana, and Florida A&M.
Jax State (7-3) is coming off a 1-2 weekend at the UNA Invitational last weekend. The Gamecocks lost to UAB and Arkansas State in five sets, before defeating the hosting Lions in five sets to close the tournament.
Ellie Garrett shined in Florence as the Gamecocks' go-to setter. She tallied 116 assists (7.73/per set), 38 digs, 17 kills, 14 blocks, and three service aces in the three matches.
Brooklyn Schiffli was another standout on the weekend with 62 digs (4.13/per set), 11 assists, and five aces.
Kayla Williams led the Red-and-White in kills with 46, followed by
Caty Havekost with 31,
Hana Aiana with 26, and
Sanni Rantanen with 23.
Other Jax State standouts from last weekend include
Luci Wilkinson with 37 digs,
Madison Konopka with 22 digs, and
Kaylee Moseley with 11 kills.
The Gamecocks will open the Ragin' Cajuns Classic against hosting Louisiana (2-7) on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Ragin' Cajuns were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt's West Division ahead of the 2024 season. Louisiana's roster includes the 2024 Preseason Sun Belt Libero of the Year in Mio Yamamoto. The matchup with the Ragin' Cajuns will be the first time Jax State has faced them in athletic competition since defeating them 34-31 in last year's R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Jax State will then face the Southeastern Louisiana Lions (6-4) on Friday at 3 p.m. The Lions were the Southland Conference's number fourth ranked team in the preseason poll. They also return a key player in preseason first-team all-conference outside hitter Cicily Hidalgo.
To close out the Classic, Jax State will take on Florida A&M (7-3) on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Rattlers were picked to finish first in preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference rankings and have lived up to that prediction thus far. The Rattlers return the 2024 Preseason SWAC Player of the Year in outside hitter Brooke Lynn Watts and 2024 Preseason SWAC Libero of the Year Brooke Hudson. FAMU had outside hitter Emerald Jacobs and middle blocker Isis Williams make the Preseason SWAC Second Team as well.
None of the matches will be streaming on ESPN+, but live stats will be available on JaxStateSports.com.
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateVB), Instagram (@JaxStateVB), and Facebook (Jacksonville State Volleyball) accounts.
