Little Rock Tops Louisiana, 3-1, in Sun Belt Tournament Opener

FOLEY, Ala. – Laura Jansen put down a team-high 21 kills, Alyssa Nayar set up a career-high 52 assists and Little Rock opened up Sun Belt Tournament play with a 3-1 win over Louisiana Wednesday afternoon.
 
The win puts Little Rock (5-13) in control of its own destiny in Pool Play with the Trojans facing Georgia State on Thursday. Set scores were 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 and 25-20.
 
The Trojans hit .233 and recorded 11 team blocks while limiting Louisiana (17-6) to a .165 mark win the win. The victory also snaps a five-match skid against the Ragin' Cajuns and is Little Rock's 30^th win in Sun Belt Tournament play in program history.
 
While Jansen (21 kills, 16 digs) and Nayar (52 assists, 11 digs) both posted double-doubles, the match was one of Little Rock's most balanced of the year. Janae Thurston (12 kills) and Nedima Kamberovic (12 kills) both were in double figures while Nicole Medlin nearly reaching that mark, recording nine kills and a .238 percentage.
 
Leigh Maher tied a career-high three service aces with her third coming on match point. Medlin added four blocks while Zanobia Willis nearly matched a career-high with seven total blocks including two solo stops.
 
Hali Wisnoskie led Louisiana with 23 kills and 12 digs while Kesley Bennett posted 15 kills and 12 digs.
 
Behind the Box Score

• Little Rock hit a match-high .345 in the opening set.
• The Trojans out-blocked Louisiana in the opening frame, 3-1.
• Laura Jansen put down a team-high six kills in the second set.
• Hali Wisnoski led Louisiana with seven kills in the second frame.
• Little Rock hit just .186 in the third set but held Louisiana to a .179 clip.
• Alyssa Nayar was credited with an assist on all 15 of Little Rock's kills in the third set.
• The Trojan offense reignited in the fourth set, hitting .317 to Louisiana's .220.
• Laura Jansen led all players with eight kills in the final set.
• Leigh Maher registered her third service ace of the match on the final play, clinching the win.

 
Leaders by the Numbers
Kills: 21, Laura Jansen
Assists: 52, Alyssa Nayar
Service Aces: 3, Leigh Maher
Digs: 22, Leigh Maher
Blocks: 7, Zanobia Willis
 
Notables

• Little Rock now leads the all-time series over Louisiana, 40-16.
• The Trojans are now 6-1 all-time against Louisiana in Sun Belt Tournament play.
• The Trojans are now 30-22 all-time in Sun Belt Tournament play.
• Alyssa Nayar recorded her fifth double-double of the season (52 assists, 11 digs) and seventh of her career.
• Nayar's 52 assists marked a career-high.
• Laura Jansen recorded her 10^th double-double (21 kills, 16 digs) of the season and the 14^th of her career.
• Halee Pedro registered a career-high 12 digs.
• Leigh Maher tied a career-high with three service aces.
• The 11 team blocks recorded by the Trojans matched a season-high.

 
Up Next
Pool play continues on Thursday as Little Rock will face Georgia State at Noon CT on ESPN+.
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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