Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Louisiana
Volleyball Begins Sun Belt Conference Play With Louisiana
9/24/2026 10:54:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. — Troy volleyball opens Sun Belt Conference play inside Trojan Arena with a pair of matches against Louisiana on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Trojans wrapped up non-conference action in dominant fashion, sweeping all three matches at the Trojan Invitational to post a perfect 9-0 set record over the weekend. Troy featured balanced offensive firepower throughout the invitational, with a different player leading the squad with 13 kills in each match. Kalina Calvillo set the tone in the opener against Murray State, while Ashlynn Axtell set a career-high 13 kills against The Citadel before Isa Ruether tied that, while also hitting a career mark the following day against Northwestern State.
Defensively, an area of focus entering last weekend's invitational, Troy delivered three steady performances. Across nine sets, the Trojans held opponents under a .100 hitting percentage in five frames. The Cardinal and White also logged 17 total blocks across the three matches, anchored by fifth-year middle blocker Sophie Ocampo, who recorded nine total blocks.
Troy and Louisiana (5-8) split their two meetings last season in Lafayette, La., with the Trojans winning the opener in four sets before the Ragin' Cajuns answered with a three-set victory. Troy will look to leverage its home-court advantage inside Trojan Arena, where the team has built a dominant 15-3 set record so far this season.
Game Information
Matchup: Louisiana
When: Friday, 6 p.m. | Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. — Trojan Arena
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: TroyTrojans.com/livestats
Scouting Louisiana
32nd and 33rd meeting: Troy leads all-time series 18-13.
The Cajuns are no stranger to the transfer portal, as nine of their 17 players have been brought through it. Arkansas transfer, Lolo Lambert leads the team in kills with 133, Rhyan Miciotto has a team-best 281 assists, and Kennedy Gustafson has the most digs on the team with 191.
Familiar Faces
Ashlynn Axtell reunites with former high school teammate Jazmine Gaston across the net this weekend
Feeling 22
Ashlynn Axtell's stellar Trojan Invitational outing saw the third-year standout produce 32 kills over the three matches, while hitting over .400 in all three. For the season, Axtell is hitting .428 which ranks 22nd nationally and second in the Sun Belt Conference.
Notables
- The Trojans are 5-1 at home this season, with all six matches ending in three sets.
- With a weekend sweep in the Trojan Invitational, Troy has won three consecutive non-conference matches for the first time since the 2024 season.
- Kalina Calvillo became the first Trojan to eclipse the 100-kill mark this season in Troy's win over Northwestern State on Saturday.
- Troy aims to secure its first victory in a Sun Belt Conference opener since the 2024 season, when the Trojans swept in-state rival South Alabama inside Trojan Arena
