Amara Anderson’s Memorable Night Capped Off With Come From Behind Victory

Thursday, September 22

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

7-6,1-0Sun Belt

Louisiana

6-4,0-1Sun Belt

Louisiana

Troy

Amara Anderson’s Memorable Night Capped Off With Come From Behind Victory

9/22/2022 9:47:00 PM | Volleyball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala.- It was a night to remember as Troy came storming back from a two-set deficit to win three straight sets (21-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, 15-13) to open Sun Belt play Thursday night from Trojan Arena. The night was made more memorable in the second set as senior setter Amara Anderson became the all-time career assist leader in Troy program history. With 40 assists on the night, Anderson also became the first Trojan to surpass 5000 career assists in the victory, bringing her total to 5,002. In addition, Anderson accumulated 15 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. "Really proud of our effort tonight," head coach Josh Lauer said. "We dug in and showed a lot of resilience. When you get the reverse sweep, it's fitting. We expect Louisiana to bounce back tomorrow, and we have to be ready and respond. I got really emotional in the locker room; Amara has poured her heart and soul out and sacrificed a lot to be here. It has been a really fun journey that isn't over yet." For Troy (7-6, 1-0), Tori Hester saw her fifth 20-kill game finishing with 24 to lead Troy as Julai Brooks followed with 15 kills of her own. Freshman Jaci Mesa led all players in the match with 16 digs. The visiting Ragin' Cajuns (6-4, 0-1) was led by Lauryn Hill, who recorded 15 kills. Both Siena DeCambra and Reka Kotorman had 18 assists in the loss. Set 1: Each team totaled 12 kills in the first set, with Louisiana hitting .200 compared to Troy's .105. A kill from Hester had tied the match at 19 and started a three-point rally capped off by an Anderson ace giving Troy a 21-19 lead. However, Louisiana used six straight points to take the set away from Troy. Set 2: Troy had its best hitting percentage at a .310 clip in the second set. Five different Trojans had at least two kills in the set, but the visitors totaled 17 kills compared to Troy's 12. Troy saw a 6-2 lead early on as Anderson tied the record and claimed the new record in the second frame. However, Louisiana saw separation after two separate four-point runs towards the end to go up two sets. Set 3: The third set was where everything changed. Hester saw five kills in the set alone, hitting .455. An Isabella Mitchell service ace gave the Trojans a 20-17 lead as Troy wouldn't allow Louisiana to get back in the set as a Ragin' Cajun error sealed things and got Troy on the board. Set 4: A 1-1 tie was as close as Louisiana ever got to taking the lead in the set as Troy led the rest of the way. With 15 kills as a team, it was the most of any of the sets for Troy in the match. At one point, Troy had seen an eight-point lead after a kill from Savannah Poling made it 18-10. However, the visitors made Troy work a little as they got back within four at 22-18 as Lauer was forced to call a timeout. After the timeout, Brooks came out with two kills, which Hester followed with a kill to even the match and send it to the fifth set.

Set 5: This was the second straight match Troy had gone to five sets, with the last ending in defeat. History would not repeat itself as Troy came out victorious, led by Hester, who saw seven kills alone in the set. Louisiana was winning 13-11 before two attack errors evened the score. Troy scored the following two points with back-to-back Hester kills to give Troy the dramatic comeback victory.

Up Next: Troy and Louisiana will wrap up their two-game series tomorrow, Friday, September 23, at 6 p.m. from Trojan Arena.