The 2024 Louisiana Tech volleyball team information guide is a publication of the Athletics Media Relations Office. It has been designed as a source of information for the news media and Lady Techster volleyball fans. Every effort has been made to include pertinent and timely information. Should you need additional information such as feature material and/or statistics, please direct your inquiries to the media relations office.
News releases, photos and other services are available to accredited members of the news media. Current releases, statistics and photos can also be obtained at LATechSports. com.
Editors: Kevin Albarez and Kane McGuire
Contributors: Chanler, McGuire, Hotz, Goodwin, Butler, Louisiana Tech News Bureau, Louisiana Tech Marketing and Public Relations Department
Covers, Layout and Design: Courtney Pugh Donnie Bell Design.
Photography: Kelsey Chanler, Emerald McIntyre, Donny Crowe, Tom Morris, Darrell James, James Garner, Donald Page
ATHLETIC VISION
Louisiana Tech University will be a conference leader in performance by investing strategically in student-athletes’ development, providing superior facilities and enhancing program support to achieve a local and national image of success and dominance.
ATHLETIC MISSION STATEMENT
Embody excellence in everything we do.
Develop student-athletes to maximize their potential in mind, body and spirit.
Bring pride, admiration, and loyalty to the University family, community and state.
First Year of Volleyball: 1987 Overall All-Time Record: 438-703 Conference USA Record: 23-133
MEDIA RELATIONS
Director/WBB Contact: Kevin Albarez
Office Phone: 318-257-3145
Cell Phone: 225-573-3538
Email: kalbarez@latech.edu
Fax: 318-257-3757
Press Row: 318-257-3144
Address: PO Box 3166, Ruston, La. 71272
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/LATechVB
Facebook.com/LATechAthletics
Twitter: @LATechVB @LATechSports
Instagram: @LATechVB @LATechSports
QUICK FACTS LOUISIANA TECH
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 vs. San Jose State^ Fullerton, Calif.
Aug. 30 vs. Cal State Fullerton^ Fullerton, Calif.
Aug. 31 at Cal State-Fullerton^ Fullerton, Calif.
Sept. 3 ALCORN STATE Ruston, La.
Sept. 6 at Arkansas% Fayetteville, Ark.
Sept. 7 vs. Little Rock% Fayetteville, Ark.
Sept. 7 vs. Rutgers% Fayetteville, Ark.
Sept 13
Sept. 14
14
Sept. 20 vs.
Sept. 20 vs. UC Riverside&
Sept. 21 at UNO&
Sept. 27 LIBERTY*
Oct. 4 at
5
Oct. 8
9 SAM
Oct. 12 UTEP*
Oct. 13
Oct. 18 at Western Kentucky*
Oct. 19 at Western Kentucky*
Oct. 24 at Middle Tennessee* Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Oct. 25 at Middle Tennessee* Murfreesboro, Tenn. ESPN+ 1 p.m.
Nov. 1 KENNESAW STATE*
Nov. 2 KENNESAW
Nov. 8 FIU*
Nov. 9 FIU*
Nov. 15 at Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. ESPN+
Nov. 16 at Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. 2 p.m.
Nov. 22-24 CUSA Championship El Paso, Texas ESPN+ TBA
Conference USA Matchup = * Cal State Fullerton Invitation = ^ Woo Pig Invitational = % Battle for the Boot = # New Orleans/Tulane Invitational = & ALL TIMES CENTRAL (CT)
NO. Name
2024 ROSTER
2024 NUMERICAL ROSTER
/
1 Izabely Benjamin 5-11 OH SR/1L Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Panola College)
2 Jailen Hurley 6-0 RS JR/2L Little Elm, Texas (Lone Star HS)
3 Shelby Hannah 5-4 L/DS FR/HS Cullman, Ala. (ICL Academy)
Jackwin, Luisa Araujo, Courtney Carter, Sa'Myah Medford
If you’ve been a part of the CUSA family for years, we’re proud to have you here. If you’re new to us, welcome. No matter when you got here, know this: You’re part of more than a college athletics conference. Every school, every town, every alumni and fan is an essential part of who CUSA is today, and equally important in taking us to the next level. With unstoppable energy, there are no limits on us.
So hop on, because we’re heading up.
FIU - JACKSONVILLE STATE - KENNESAW STATE - LIBERTY - LA TECH - MIDDLE TENNESSEE - NEW MEXICO STATE - SAM HOUSTON - UTEP - WKU MIAMI, FL - JACKSONVILLE, AL - KENNESAW, GA - LYNCHBURG, VA - RUSTON, LA - MURFREESBORO, TN - LAS CRUCES, NM - HUNTSVILLE, TX - EL PASO, TX - BOWLING GREEN, KY
TV/RADIO ROSTER
Izabely Benjamin 5-11,OH/RS,Sr./1L RiodeJaneiro,Brazil
Amber McCray enters her sixth year as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Volleyball program. The former Florida All-American was named the 10th head coach in the program's history on December 12, 2018.
In 2023, the Bulldogs swept Jacksonville State on the final weekend of the season to qualify for the CUSA Tournament for the first time since joining the league in 2013. Jailen Hurley earned CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for her performance against the Gamecocks, the first weekly honor for a Bulldog since McKenzie Johnson in 2021, and just the second time ever in CUSA. Grace Krohn became just the second Bulldog to earn a spot on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, joining Johnson. With her final dig against Grambling, Johnson became the fastest Bulldog to reach 1,000 career digs.
LA Tech built some momentum coming out of the 2022 season that saw the program register 11 wins, the most since 2019. Four of those came against Conference USA action, including two 3-0 sweeps of Charlotte and UTSA, to match the most CUSA victories in a single season since 2016. The team came one win shy of qualifying for the CUSA Tournament for the first time in program history, a goal they are set out to do in 2023.
The momentum carried over from a nine-win season in 2021, which saw a number of statistical improvements, most notably in team attacks per set (37.83), which ranked 17th in the country, and in digs per set (16.54), which ranked 34th in the nation. The uptick in digs was thanks in large part to Johnson, who earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors, the first Bulldog to be named all-conference since 2017.
In the split 2020-21 season, Johnson was one of nine newcomers who joined the program along with Morgan Smith, who anchored the team in blocks in each of the last two seasons.
LA Tech tallied an overall record of 13-15 in McCray's first season at the helm in 2019, including a blistering 11-4 start to the season. The hot start included a stretch in which the Bulldogs reeled off eight wins in nine matches while claiming two tournament championships -- Sam Houston State Invitational and the LA Tech Invitational.
The team improved statistically in several categories, including more kills, assists, aces, and blocks per set than in 2018 while returning many of the same student-athletes. The 2019 team also committed 99 fewer errors than the prior year.
Under McCray's leadership, the program has also excelled in the classroom, earning the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award four times, 69 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll recipients, and 13 Academic Medalists.
McCray came to Ruston after building Panola College into a nationally ranked program. She led the Fillies to 169 wins and two National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament appearances (2016, 2017). In three other seasons at Panola, she was one win away from the national tournament.
McCray spent eight seasons at Panola — six as the head coach — earning conference Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and 2016, Region XIV District H Coach of the Year honors in 2016, and Region XIV District I Coach of the Year honors in 2017. She guided the Fillies to a seventh-place finish in the national tournament in 2016 and a ninth-place finish in 2017.
The 2016 team won 35 matches and was ranked No. 1 in the country in the NJCAA Division I polls over the final three weeks of the season. It marked her second 30-plus-win season at Panola, as the 2015 team also accomplished the feat — the program's first in over a decade.
During her time at Panola, McCray coached 28 First or Second team Region XIV All-Conference performers, 19 Region XIV academic all-conference honorees, and two NJCAA All-Americans. Panola volleyball had a 100 percent graduation rate for volleyball student-athletes enrolled at the school through all four semesters during McCray's tenure.
McCray spent two years as an assistant coach at Panola (2011-2013) prior to being promoted to the head coaching position in 2013. She also spent eight years coaching club volleyball teams in east Texas.
As a student-athlete at Florida (2003-07), McCray was a two-year captain and a member of five straight Southeastern Conference championship teams (including a medical redshirt season). She was a member of the team that advanced to the national championship game in 2003. She was named Second-Team All-American in 2006 and two-time all-Southeastern Conference in 2006 and 2007.
McCray also excelled off the court, earning
the McCRAY file
HOMETOWN: Longview, Texas
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree (Florida, '07)
Master's degree (Florida, '08)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2019-Present: Head Coach, Louisiana Tech
2013-2019: Head Coach, Panola College
2011-2013: Assistant Coach, Panola College
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2003-07: University of Florida
Academic All-American honors in 2007, ESPN The Magazine Academic AllDistrict honors from 2005-2007, and the SEC Academic Honor Roll from 2004-2007. She was nominated to represent the entire UF athletic program at the NCAA Leadership Convention in 2006, and her efforts in the Gainesville community earned her a spot on the SEC Community Service Team in 2007. As a senior, McCray also received the Tracy Caulkins Award, which was presented to UF's top graduating female student-athlete who possesses the traits of academic achievement, athletic achievement, leadership, and community involvement.
McCray was a decorated three-sport athlete for Pine Tree (Texas) High School, becoming the state of Texas' first two-time recipient of the Gatorade High School Volleyball Player of the Year Award in 2001 and 2002.
ALEX HOLT
ASSISTANT COACH
@alexanholt
Holt, who joined the coaching staff on April 1, 2022, enters her third season as an assistant coach for the Louisiana Tech volleyball program.
LA Tech carried the momentum from the 2022 season into 2023 and qualified for their first Conference USA Tournament in program history. Under Holt's guidance, the Bulldogs finished with 277 block assists, the most since the 2019 season.
Her presence was felt in year one with the program as LA Tech built momentum after registering 11 wins, the most since 2019. Four of those came against Conference USA action, including two 3-0 sweeps of Charlotte and UTSA, to match the most CUSA victories in a single season since 2016. The team came one win shy of qualifying for the CUSA Tournament for the first time in program history, a goal they are set out to do in 2023. Holt was responsible for helping develop the Bulldogs blocking game that finished the season with 216 total blocks, their most since 2010, and 110 solo blocks, the sixth most in a single season in program history.
Holt came to Ruston from Cisco College, where she served as an assistant coach for two seasons. During her time at Cisco, she assisted in technical and physical training, identified prospective student-athletes, managed statistical operations, and designed social media content across all platforms for the volleyball program.
Holt trained middle blockers, right sides, and the team blocking system at Cisco. In 2021, two student-athletes received all-conference honors, and the team produced an 18-win season.
Prior to coaching at Cisco College, Holt played at Pacific from 20142019, competing on both the indoor and beach volleyball teams. Holt was named the team captain in her final season with the Tigers. In her senior season, she played in all 29 matches and finished her career with 399 kills and 167 total blocks.
The Sacramento, California native graduated with a bachelor's degree in social sciences and a minor in teaching professions in 2018. She received her master's degree in the fall of 2019 in educational and organizational leadership from Pacific.
AYDEN
BATLETT
ASSISTANT COACH
Louisiana Tech volleyball head coach Amber McCray announced the hiring of Ayden Bartlett as assistant coach.
Bartlett comes to LA Tech after spending four successful seasons playing libero/defensive specialist at Louisville.
While with the Cardinals, she helped guide Louisville to its most successful four-year run in program history. The Cardinals were 105-12 during that time, including three consecutive ACC championships and the first two trips to the NCAA Final Four in the school's history. Louisville finished the 2022 season as the NCAA runner-up.
Bartlett played in 293 sets over 103 matches during her career, accounting for 385 digs and 43 service aces. Her best season came during her sophomore campaign when she saw action in 105 sets with 171 digs and 22 service aces. The Cardinals started the season 32-0 before falling to Wisconsin in the NCAA semifinals.
The Leavenworth, Kan. native has spent time coaching during Louisville Volleyball Camps and with KIVA Volleyball Club.
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, California
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (Pacific, '18) Master's degree in Organizational Leadership (Pacific, '19)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2021-Present: Assistant Coach, Louisiana Tech
2020-2021: Assistant Coach, Cisco College
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2014-2019: Pacific
the
HOMETOWN: Leavenworth, Kansas
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (Louisville, '24)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2024-Present: Assistant Coach, Louisiana Tech
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2020-24: Louisville
BARTLETT file
MARY KAY
HUNGATE
SPORT ADMINISTRATOR
SUPPORT STAFF
KEVIN ALBAREZ
ASSOCIATE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
SHELBY KROSSILOWSKY
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER
MICHELLE TAYLOR
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
ASSOCIATE SPORTS PERFORMANCE
STUDENT MANAGER
MANDOLYN DONOHUE
CAMRON BLAIR
09/16/2023 vs Southeastern La. L
2023 RESULTS
* 09/29/2023 New Mexico St. L 0-3 16-25,11-25,22-25
* 10/03/2023 at Sam Houston W 3-1 22-25,25-22,25-15,26-24
S5 at Texas State2 L 1-3 (28-30, 30-20, 27-30, 25-30)
S6 vs. Wisconsin2 L 0-3 (28-30, 31-33, 23-30)
S6 vs. Arkansas State2 L 2-3 (27-30, 30-21, 30-23, 19-30, 8-15)
S9 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN W 3-2 (30-21, 30-22, 27-30, 21-30, 18-16)
S12 vs. DePaul3 W 3-2 (27-30, 30-28, 30-21, 28-30, 17-15)
S13 at Drake3 W 3-0 (31-29, 30-28, 30-23)
S13 vs. Southeast Missouri3 W 3-0 (30-24, 30-21, 30-25)
S19 CENTENARY W 3-0 (30-13, 30-20, 30-14)
S20 at Tulane L 0-3 (30-32, 33-35, 27-30)
S20 KANSAS CITY W 3-1 (27-30, 34-32, 30-19, 30-27)
S23 NORTH TEXAS W 3-1 (28-30, 30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
S25 at Boise State* L 2-3 (22-30, 28-30, 30-16, 30-20, 8-15)
S27 at UTEP* W 3-2 (30-22, 27-30, 28-30, 30-24, 16-14)
O4 SMU* L 0-3 (23-30, 25-30, 16-30)
O7 ULM W 3-0 (30-20, 30-26, 30-19)
O9 RICE* L 0-3 (23-30, 26-30, 25-30)
O11 TULSA* W 3-1 (30-27, 30-28, 28-30, 30-28)
O16 at #2 Hawaii* L 0-3 (21-30, 21-30, 17-30)
O18 at San Jose State* L 0-3 (29-31, 28-30, 23-30)
O21 at Northwestern State W 3-2 (26-30, 30-25, 27-30, 30-19, 15-12)
O23 FRESNO STATE* L 0-3 (22-30, 26-30, 27-30)
O25 NEVADA* L 2-3 (30-26, 28-30, 24-30, 30-21, 13-15)
O30 at Tulsa* W 3-0 (35-33, 34-32, 30-26)
N1 at Rice* L 0-3 (24-30, 19-30, 22-30)
N8 SMU* L 0-3 (24-30, 26-30, 13-30)
N13 UTEP* W 3-0 (30-17, 30-21, 30-28)
N21 vs. SMU4
L 0-3 (26-30, 24-30, 27-30)
1 UL-Lafayette Tournament (Lafayette, La.)
2 Texas State Century Tell/Roger Beasley Premier (San Marcos, Texas)
3 Drake Bulldog Invitational (Des Moines, Iowa)
4 WAC Tournament (Reno, Nev.)
S4 vs. Jackson State1 W 3-0 (30-14, 30-15, 30-22)
S4 vs. Austin Peay1 W 3-1 (30-26, 37-39, 30-28, 30-26)
S10 vs. Liberty2 W 3-0 (30-22, 30-15, 30-23)
S11 at Texas2 L 0-3 (13-30, 17-30, 17-30)
S11 vs. LSU2 L 0-3 (26-30, 26-30, 27-30)
S17 vs. Memphis3 L 0-3 (24-30, 23-30, 28-30)
S18 at Mississippi State3 L 2-3 (30-16, 31-33, 19-30, 32-30, 16-18)
S18 vs. Eastern Kentucky3 L 0-3 (23-30, 28-30, 27-30)
S23 BOISE STATE* L 0-3 (18-30, 28-30, 17-30)
S25 UTEP* W 3-0 (30-14, 30-23, 30-24)
S28 at Lamar W 3-0 (30-28, 30-27, 30-28)
O1 ORAL ROBERTS L 0-3 (26-30, 18-30, 22-30)
O2 SMU* L 1-3 (27-30, 28-30, 30-22, 26-30)
O7 at Rice* L 0-3 (19-30, 16-30, 15-30)
O9 at Tulsa* L 0-3 (26-30, 19-30, 28-30)
O14 #3 HAWAII* L 0-3 (15-30, 21-30, 23-30)
O16 SAN JOSE STATE* L 2-3 (11-30, 25-30, 30-28, 30-24, 12-15)
O21 at Fresno State* L 0-3 (22-30, 28-30, 2931)
O23 at Nevada* L 0-3 (28-30, 20-30, 21-30)
O29 TULSA* L 0-3 (28-, 30, 24-30, 20-30)
O30 RICE* L 0-3 (23-30, 17-30, 20-30)
N2 NORTHWESTERN STATE W 3-0 (30-27, 30-23, 30-22) N6 at SMU* L 0-3 (24-30, 20-30, 19-30) N11 at UTEP* L 2-3 (31-29, 18-30, 30-28, 27-30, 13-15)
1 Arkansas State American Bank Classic (Jonesboro, Ark.) 2 Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational (Austin, Texas) 3 Mississippi State Microtel Classic (Starkville, Miss.)
2005 (15-18, 2-14 WAC) Coach: Heather Mazeitis
A27
A27 BAYLOR L 0-3 (22-30, 25-30, 22-30)
S2 vs. Jackson State1 W 3-0 (30-19, 30-14, 30-21)
S3 vs. Centenary1 W 3-1 (30-27, 30-25, 30-32, 30-15)
S3 at UL-Lafayette1 W 3-2 (30-24, 25-30, 28-30, 30-25, 15-11)
S6 UL-LAFAYETTE W 3-2 (32-30, 26-30, 30-27, 28-30, 20-18)
S9 at Mercer2 W 3-2 (32-34, 30-24, 28-30, 30-18, 15-9)
S9 vs. UNC-Asheville2 L 1-3 (30-18, 26-30, 23-30, 26-30)
S10 vs. Memphis2 W 3-2 (30-26, 28-30, 30-23, 32-34, 18-16)
S10 vs. FIU2 W 3-0 (34-32, 30-21, 32-30)
S13 GRAMBLING STATE W 3-1 (22-30, 30-28, 30-19, 30-16)
S16 vs. Alcorn State3 W 3-0 (30-7, 30-9, 30-8)
S17 at Troy3 W 3-0 (30-15, 30-19, 30-20)
S17 vs. Bethune Cookman3 W 3-0 (30-23, 30-25, 30-20)
S22 at Nevada* L 2-3 (19-30, 30-27, 30-27, 21-30, 7-15)
S24 at Utah State* L 0-3 (24-30, 14-30, 19-30)
S29 #11 HAWAII* L 0-3 (14-30, 18-30, 31-33)
O1 FRESNO STATE* W 3-1 (30-19, 30-24, 29-31, 30-27)
O4 at Stephen F. Austin L 0-3 (24-30, 16-30, 14-30)
O8 NEW MEXICO STATE* L 0-3 (23-30, 19-30, 18-30)
O11 at Northwestern State W 3-2 (25-30, 30-27, 20-30, 30-21, 15-10)
O13 at San Jose State* L 0-3 (26-30, 24-30, 24-30)
O15 at Fresno State* W 3-2 (30-26, 24-30, 16-30, 30-23, 20-18)
O20 BOISE STATE* L 2-3 (18-30, 30-23, 30-23, 27-30, 14-16)
O22 IDAHO* L 0-3 (24-30, 21-30, 22-30)
O27 at Boise State* L 2-3 (25-30, 30-27, 19-30, 30-24, 9-15)
O29 at Idaho* L 0-3 (18-30, 16-30, 18-30)
N3 SAN JOSE STATE* L 0-3 (18-30, 9-30, 28-30)
N5 NEVADA* L 2-3 (27-30, 30-27, 27-30, 30-27, 8-15)
N10 at New Mexico State* L 0-3 (21-30, 14-30, 15-30)
N14 UTAH STATE* L 1-3 (28-30, 17-30, 30-24, 30-32)
N18 at #9 Hawaii* L 0-3 (16-30, 11-30, 20-30)
N24 Boise State4 L 0-3 (33-35, 18-30, 29-31)
1 UL-Lafayette Tournament (Lafayette, La.)
2 Mercer Tournament (Macon, Ga.)
3 Troy Tournament (Troy, Ala.)
4 WAC Tournament (Reno, Nev.)
2006 (6-28, 0-16 WAC)
Coach: Heather Mazeitis
A25 at Wichita State1 L 0-3 (22-30, 26-30, 16-30)
A25 vs. Eastern Washington1 L 0-3 (26-30, 24-30, 26-30)
A26 vs. UTSA1 L 2-3 (27-30, 27-30, 30-27, 30-20, 12-15)
S1 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN L 1-3 (20-30, 31-29, 27-30, 23-30)
S3 vs. Little Rock1 L 0-3 (20-30, 27-30, 26-30)
S3 at Arkansas State1 L 0-3 (23-30, 17-30, 24-30)
A26 vs. Syracuse1 L 0-3 (28-30, 20-30, 33-35)
S1 vs. Southern Miss2 L 0-3 (30-32, 28-30, 27-30)
S1 vs. Radford2 L 2-3 (30-27, 30-25, 29-31, 28-30, 11-15)
S2 at Sam Houston2 W 3-1 (30-22, 33-35, 32-30, 30-25)
S2 vs. North Texas2 W 3-1 (30-24, 26-30, 30-23, 30-25)
S5 NORTHWESTERN STATE W 3-1 (30-24, 30-21, 27-30, 30-24)
S8 vs. Lipscomb3 W 3-1 (30-20, 20-30, 30-20, 30-23)
S8 vs. Little Rock3 L 0-3 (18-30, 36-38, 25-30)
S9 vs. Southeast Missouri3 L 1-3 (21-30, 30-24, 21-30, 28-30)
S9 at Memphis3 L 0-3 (20-30, 28-30, 23-30)
S12 UT ARLINGTON L 2-3 (20-30, 30-18, 30-28, 30-32, 10-15)
S15 TROY4 W 3-0 (30-22, 30-12, 30-25)
S16 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN4 L 0-3 (21-30, 18-30, 23-30)
S21 BOISE STATE* L 2-3 (30-24, 30-22, 27-30, 22-30, 21-23)
S23 IDAHO* L 1-3 (23-30, 30-28, 22-30, 21-30)
S28 at Nevada* L 0-3 (15-30, 27-30, 28-30)
S30 at Utah State* L 0-3 (21-30, 27-30, 26-30)
O6 NEW MEXICO STATE* L 1-3 (21-30, 30-26, 14-30, 18-30)
O10 CENTENARY W 3-0 (30-23, 30-18, 30-22)
O11 #11 HAWAII* L 0-3 (25-30, 20-30, 14-30)
O19 at San Jose State* L 0-3 (16-30, 16-30, 20-30)
O21 at Fresno State* L 2-3 (26-30, 30-20, 30-27, 26-30, 8-15)
O26 UTAH STATE* L 1-3 (29-31, 27-30, 30-21, 27-30)
O28 NEVADA* L 1-3 (26-30, 22-30, 34-32, 34-36)
N2 at Idaho* L 0-3 (19-30, 23-30, 25-30)
N4 at Boise State* L 0-3 (26-30, 14-30, 20-30)
N8 at #20 New Mexico State* L 0-3 (21-30, 18-30, 32-34)
N10 at #14 Hawaii* L 0-3 (16-30, 15-30, 21-30)
N16 SAN JOSE STATE* L 0-3 (22-30, 17-30, 24-30)
N18 FRESNO STATE* L 2-3 (27-30, 40-38, 29-31, 30-22, 8-15)
N22 vs. Fresno State5 L 1-3 (30-27, 26-30, 29-31, 23-30)
1 Wichita State Tournament (Wichita, Kan.)
2 Sam Houston Tournament (Huntsville, Texas)
3 Memphis Tournament (Memphis, Tenn.)
4 LA Tech Tournament (Ruston, La.)
5 WAC Tournament (Reno, Nev.)
2007 (6-24, 1-15 WAC) Coach: Heather Mazeitis
A24 at Rice1 W 3-0 (30-21, 30-26, 30-28)
A25 vs. Oral Roberts1 L 0-3 (24-30, 27-30, 21-30)
A25 vs. Lamar1
L 0-3 (18-30, 29-31, 30-32)
A28 at UT Arlington L 1-3 (26-30, 25-30, 30-21, 15-30)
A31 CENTENARY2
W 3-0 (30-10, 30-17, 30-18)
A31 SOUTHEASTERN2 W 3-0 (30-21, 30-23, 30-23)
S1 SOUTHERN MISS2 W 3-1 (30-20, 30-25, 19-30, 30-26)
S1 CENTRAL ARKANSAS2 L 1-3 (29-31, 30-22, 23-30, 26-30)
S4 ULM W 3-0 (30-27, 30-21, 30-25)
S7 vs. Auburn3 L 1-3 (30-21, 30-23, 30-17, 27-30)
S7 vs. Texas A&M3 L 0-3 (24-30, 16-30, 18-30)
S8 at UTSA3 L 2-3 (25-30, 30-25, 16-30, 30-18, 11-15)
S13 at Nevada* L 1-3 (30-26, 18-30, 20-30, 17-30)
S15 at Fresno State* L 0-3 (28-30, 28-30, 25-30)
S18 at Northwestern State L 2-3
S20 #13 HAWAII* L 1-3 (30-23, 12-30, 19-30, 25-30)
S22 UTAH STATE* L 0-3 (27-30, 27-30, 15-30)
S27 IDAHO* L 0-3 (32-34, 25-30, 22-30)
S29 BOISE STATE* W 3-2 (25-30, 28-30, 30-23, 30-23, 15-13)
O4 at San Jose State* L 0-3 (27-30, 25-30, 18-30)
O6 at Utah State* L 0-3 (19-30, 27-30, 29-31)
O11 at New Mexico State* L 0-3 (18-30, 20-30, 17-30)
O13 FRESNO STATE* L 0-3 (19-30, 16-30, 28-30)
O18 SAN JOSE STATE* L 0-3 (24-30, 29-31, 22-30)
O20 NEVADA* L 0-3 (21-30, 29-31, 24-30)
O28 at #11 Hawaii* L 0-3 (20-30, 15-30, 16-30)
N1 at Idaho* L 2-3 (30-25, 30-26, 29-31, 27-30, 10-15)
N3 at Boise State* L 0-3 (23-30, 23-30, 26-30)
N8 NEW MEXICO STATE* L 1-3 (21-30, 31-29, 24-30, 17-30)
N15 vs. Boise State4 L 2-3 (30-23, 22-30, 25-30, 30-27, 11-15)
McKenzie Johnson 105 2023 McKenzie Johnson/Lauren Albrecht 97
KILLS
Marcella Braz
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
KILLS PER SET
HITTING PERCENTAGE
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
ASSISTS PER SET
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
DIGS PER SET
TOTAL BLOCKS
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
LOUISIANA TECH SCHOOL RECORDS
TEAM SEASON RECORDS
SOLO BLOCKS
TOTAL BLOCKS
*Limited stats available from 198791 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous sideout scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
KILLS
1. vs. Little Rock (9/25/93) 101
2. vs. SFA (10/13/92) 94
3. vs. Middle Tenn. (11/12/00) 93
4. vs. Ark. State (10/30/98) 89
5. vs. DePaul (9/12/03) 88
6. vs. ULL (10/17/98) 86
7. vs. ULL (9/6/05) 82
8. at Texas State (9/15/95) 81
9. vs. SFA (9/22/92) 80 at North Texas (9/14/02)
ATTEMPTS
1. vs. Little Rock (9/25/93) 276
2. vs. Ark. State (10/7/95) 259
3. vs. Lamar (11/19/93) 258
4. vs. ULL (10/17/98) 253
5. vs. Ark. State (10/30/98) 249
6. vs. SFA (10/13/92) 245 vs. Middle Tenn. (11/12/00)
8. vs. ULL (9/6/05) 239
9. at Texas State (9/15/95) 237
10. at Northwestern St. (10/3/00) 233
HITTING PERCENTAGE
1. vs. Oral Roberts (10/19/91) .565
2. vs. Miss. College (10/11/89) .529
3. at Northwestern St. (11/4/93) .522
4. vs. UNO (10/2/93) .506 vs. Grambling (9/17/02)
6. at Jacksonville (11/5/94) .456
7. vs. Memphis (10/4/92) .455
8. at Grambling (10/10/89) .444
9. at Northwestern St. (11/3/92) .441
10. Grambling (10/9/90) .438
ASSISTS
TEAM MATCH RECORDS
1. vs. SFA (10/13/92) 85
2. vs. Ark. State (10/30/98) 77 vs. DePaul (9/12/03) vs. ULL (9/6/05) vs. Boise State (9/21/06)
6. vs. Ole Miss (10/3/97) 76
7. vs. FIU (10/22/17) 75
8. vs. Lamar (11/19/93) 74 vs. ULL (10/17/98) at North Texas (9/14/02) vs. UT Arlington (9/12/06)
SERVICE ACES
1. vs. Southeastern (10/31/87) 21
2. at McNeese (9/24/88) 20 vs. Alcorn (8/29/03) vs. UNO (9/7/13)
5. at McNeese (9/24/88) 18 at Northwestern St. (9/10/91)
7. at ULM (9/5/95) 17 vs. Centenary (9/3/05)
9. at Little Rock 10/20/93) 16 vs. North Alabama (8/25/23)
DIGS
1. vs. Lamar (11/19/93) 132
2. at Miss. State (9/27/95) 128
3. vs. Miss. State (9/21/89) 124
4. at Ark. State (11/19/93) 120
5. vs. Ark. State (10/7/95) 118
6. at Ark. State (10/15/93) 117
7. vs. Ark. State (10/24/92) 116
8. vs. SFA (10/13/92) 112 vs. ULL (9/6/05)
10. vs. Ole Miss (10/8/89) 111
SOLO BLOCKS
1. vs. Miss State (9/21/89) 20 at McNeese (9/24/88) vs. Ole Miss (10/8/89)
4. vs. Lamar (11/2/90) 19
5. vs. Baylor (9/2/89) 14 at UCF (10/17/92) vs. Lamar (9/3/99)
8. vs. North Texas (10/23/22) 13
9. at Ark. State (8/28/10) 12
10. vs. Nicholls (9/16/89) 10 vs. Northwestern St. (9/14/90) vs. Tulsa (9/21/90) at North Texas (9/20/91)
BLOCK ASSISTS
1. vs. Fresno State (10/1/05) 32
2. vs. Fresno State (11/22/06) 29
3. vs. Air Force (9/11/09) 28
4. at Ole Miss (8/25/17) 26
5. vs. NM State (10/6/06) 25
6. at Ole Miss (9/7/94) 24 at Baylor (11/11/95) vs. Sam Houston (9/20/96) vs. Lamar (10/6/96) vs. Sam Houston (10/2/97) vs. WKU (10/17/97) vs. ULM (10/20/98) at Sam Houston (9/2/06) vs. UT-Martin (8/28/09) vs. Illinois-Chicago (8/26/16) at UTEP (10/27/17)
TOTAL BLOCKS
1. at McNeese (9/24/88) 29
2. vs. Lamar (9/3/99) 23
3. vs. Baylor (9/2/89) 22 vs. Miss. State (9/21/89) vs. Ole Miss (10/8/89)
6. vs. Lamar (11/2/90) 20 vs. South Alabama (10/29/99)
8. at UFC (10/17/92) 18 vs. Fresno State (10/1/05)
10. vs. Fresno State (11/22/06) 17.5
*Limited stats available from 198791 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous sideout scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
4. Madeline Davis (2016-2019) .280 (788-242-1,847)
5. Courtney Ziegenbein-Goodman (1993-97) .261 (1,490-497-3,798)
6. Megan Rush (2001-04) .259 (929-345-2,255)
7. KC Clayton (2006-09) .256 (1,016-440-2,247)
8. Katie Dow (1989-92) .253 (1,841-638-4,340)
9. Lara Rupf (1990-91) .234 (679-244-1,862)
Laura Ebert (1996-99) .231 (755-316-1,903)
ASSISTS
SERVICE ACES
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
SOLO BLOCKS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER RECORDS
SOLO BLOCKS PER SET (MIN. 100 SETS)
BLOCK ASSISTS PER SET (MIN. 100 SETS) 1.
(2006-09)
(2006-09)
Apryl Koonce (1992-94)
TOTAL BLOCKS PER SET (MIN. 100 SETS) 1.
POINTS
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
INDIVIDUAL SEASON RECORDS
1. Kari Lemoine (1993) .361 (227-47-498)
2. Jill Bisballe (1990) .339 (298-70-673)
3. Katie Dow (1989)
SERVICE ACES
DIGS
.328 (116-40-232)
.328 (376-119-832) Apryl Koonce (1993)
5. Madeline Davis (2017) .326 (214-60-472)
6. Sharla Richardson (1993) .324 (436-127-954)
7. Sharla Richardson (1992) .323 (316-81-726)
8. Megan Rush (2003) .321 (319-96-695)
9. Sharla Richardson (1994) .317 (381-114-843)
10. Madeline Davis (2018) .316 (230-60-538)
DIGS PER SET (MIN. 50 SETS) 1.
(2004)
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
INDIVIDUAL SEASON RECORDS
POINTS
PER SET (MIN. 50 SETS)
1.
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
INDIVIDUAL MATCH RECORDS
KILLS
1. Sharla Richardson (vs. UALR, 9/25/93)
2. Kaitlyn Adams (vs. Oral Roberts, 9/14/18) 31
Katie Dow (vs. SFA, 10/13/92)
4. Shannon Phillips (vs. Boise State, 9/21/06) 30
Shannon Phillips (vs. UCA, 9/1/07)
6. Lara Rupf (vs. Alabama, 10/6/90)
Katie Dow (vs. South Carolina, 9/19/92)
Katie Dow (vs. Stephen F. Austin, 9/22/92)
Jamie Shanks (at TCU, 9/20/96)
Rebecca Redgen (at Middle Tenn., 10-5-14)
ATTEMPTS
1. Laura Bernoski (vs. Arkansas State, 10/7/95)
2. Katie Dow (vs. South Carolina, 9/20/92)
Xzache Mathis (at SFA, 9/20/13)
4. Sydney Jackwin (vs. Lamar, 9/9/23)
5. Misty Luersen (vs. Little Rock, 9/25/93)
Rebecca Redgen (at Middle Tenn., 10/5/14)
7. Shannon Phillips (vs. Central Arkansas, 9/1/07)
8. Shannon Phillips (at Sam Houston, 9/2/06)
(vs. Lamar, 11/20/92)
Shannon Phillips (vs. UT Arlington, 9/12/06)
(MIN. 10 ATTEPMPTS)
1. Sharla Richardson (vs. New Orleans, 10/2/93)
2. Courtney Ziegenbein (vs. Jacksonville, 11/3/95)
3. Sharla Richardson (vs. Georgia State, 9/11/93)
4. Kari Lemoine (at Northwestern State, 11/3/92)
5.
Dow (vs. Mississippi College, 10/11/89)
6. Emily Boylan (at Marshall, 11/1/19)
7. Sharla Richardson (at North Texas, 9/17/94)
8. Sharla Richardson (vs. North Texas, 9/24/93)
9. Katie Dow (vs. Centenary, 10/2/90)
10. Misty Luersen (at Northwestern, 11/4/93)
Jamie Shanks (vs. Centenary, 9/26/96)
Samantha Crowder (vs. Centenary, 8/29/09) ASSISTS
1. Kyla Woodward (vs. SFA, 10/13/92)
2. Sarah Oesterling (vs. UALR, 9/25/93)
Kelly Jefferson (vs. Ole Miss, 10/3/97)
Kelly Jefferson (vs. ASU, 10/30/98)
5. Sarah Oesterling (vs. UCF, 10/12/96)
Kelly Jefferson (vs. UL-Lafayette, 10/17/98)
7. Jilliann Walker (vs. UL-Lafayette, 9/6/05)
8. Kyla Woodward (vs. South Carolina, 9/19/92)
Sarah Oesterling (at WKU, 10/6/94)
Sarah Oesterling (vs. Arkansas State, 10/7/95)
Lia Mora (at North Texas, 9/14/02)
SERVICE ACES
1. Janel Melancon (vs. Southeastern, 10/31/87)
Debbie Nichols (at McNeese, 9/24/88)
3. Maria Coelho (vs. New Orleans, 9/7/13)
Lindsey Sheppard (vs. ULM, 9/5/95)
Debbie Nichols (at McNeese, 9/24/88)
Carly Johnson (vs. Memphis, 9/10/05)
KC Clayton (vs. Troy, 9/15/06)
Maria Coelho (UNO, 9/7/13)
9. Kate Lenaghan (at Northwestern State, 9/10/91)
Apryl Koonce (vs. Grambling State, 9/22/93)
Becky Valdez (at Grambling State, 9/17/02)
Becky Valdez (vs. Texas A&M-CC, 9/13/02)
Lia Mora (vs. Texas State, 9/5/03)
Jamie Shanks (vs. Little Rock, 9/25/93)
Lia Mora (vs. Alcorn, 8/29/03)
Shannon Phillips (at Idaho, 11/1/07)
DIGS
1. McKenzie Johnson (vs. NSU, 9/16/22) 37
2. McKenzie Johnson (vs. North Texas, 10/2/21) 36
3. Alejandra Aviles (vs. ULM, 9/18/15) 35
Stephany Salas (at Houston Christian, 9/17/11)
Julia Mann (vs. Saint Louis, 9/11/99)
6. Meghan Hass (vs. Nevada, 11/5/05) 34
Jamie Shanks (vs. Arkansas State, 10/7/95)
8. McKenzie Johnson (at ULM, 9/14/21) 33
9. Jamie Shanks (vs. South Carolina, 9/19/92) 32
Lindsey Sheppard (vs. UL-Lafayette, 10/17/98)
SOLO BLOCKS
1. Katie Dow (vs. Mississippi State, 9/21/89) 9
2. Lori Lowen (vs. Baylor, 9/2/89)
Beanie Lincoln (at McNeese, 9/24/88)
Kari Lemonie (vs. Lamar, 11/2/90)
Laura Ebert, vs. Lamar 9/3/99)
6. Michelle Rossi (vs. Nicholls, 9/16/89) 6
Katie Dow (vs. Ole Miss, 10/8/89)
Jill Bisbelle (vs. UTSA, 9/21/90)
Kari Lemonie (vs. SFA, 1992)
Gabryel Ording (at Arkansas State, 8/28/10)
BLOCK ASSISTS
1. Kara Jones (vs. Air Force, 9/11/09) 12
2. Madeline Davis (vs. Illinois-Chicago 8/26/16) 11
3. Apryl Koonce (at Arkansas, 9/10/94) 9
Amy Underwood (at ULM, 10/20/98)
Megan Rush (at Tulsa, 10/30/03)
Tanya Jarvis (vs. Arkansas State, 9/6/03)
Carly Johnson (vs. Fresno State, 10/1/05)
Marie-Helene Verlinden (at UTEP, 10/27/17)
Madeline Davis (at Ole Miss, 8/25/17)
10. 10 Tied 8
TOTAL BLOCKS
1. Madeline Davis (vs. UIC, 8/26/16) 13
Laura Ebert (vs. Lamar, 9/3/99)
3. Kara Jones (vs. Air Force, 9/11/09) 12
Beanie Lincoln (at McNeese, 9/24/88)
5. Marie-Helene Verlinden (at UTEP, 10/27/17) 11
Lara Rupf (vs UCF, 11/3/90)
7. Katie Dow (vs. Mississippi State, 9/21/89) 10
Amy Wilkins (vs. Arkansas State, 10/7/95)
Tanya Jarvis (vs. Arkansas State, 9/6/03)
Carly Johnson (vs. Fresno State, 10/2/05)
Apryl Koonce (at Arkansas, 9/10/94)
Amy Underwood (at ULM, 10/20/98)
Laura Ebert (South Alabama, 10/29/99)
Samantha Crowder (vs. Fresno State, 11/22/06)
Morgan Smith (at UAB, 10/16/22)
*Limited stats available from 1987-91 due to missing box scores
NOTE: In 2001, the NCAA rulled that all sets be played with ralley scoring to 30 rather than the previous side-out scoring to 15.
NOTE: In 2008, the NCAA ruled that all sets be played to a total of 25 points rather than the previous 30.
ALL-CONFERENCE
USA
2021 McKenzie Johnson Second Team
2017 Marta Monne Second Team
2014 Rebecca Redgen Second Team
ALL-WESTERN ATHLETIC
2009 KC Clayton Second Team
2007 Shannon Phillips Second Team
2006 Shannon Phillips Second Team
2004 Joy Okpa Second Team
2003 Lia Mora Second Team
2002 Lia Mora Second Team
Cristine Sant’Anna Second Team
ALL-SUN BELT
2000 Julia Mann Second Team
1997 Courtney Ziegenbein First Team
1996 Sarah Oesterling First Team
Courtney Ziegenbein First Team
Lindsey Sheppard Second Team
Jamie Shanks Second Team
1995 Sarah Oesterling First Team
Courtney Ziegenbein First Team
1994 Sarah Oesterling First Team
Sharla Richardson Second Team
1993 Sharla Richardson First Team
Sarah Oesterling Second Team
1992 Kyla Woodward First Team
Katie Dow First Team
ALL-AMERICAN SOUTH
1990 Jill Bisballe Second Team
1990 Katie Dow Second Team
1990 Lara Rupf Second Team
1989 Katie Dow First Team
HONORS & AWARDS
ALL-LOUISIANA
2023 McKenzie Johnson Honorable Mention
2021 McKenzie Johnson Second Team
2017 Marta Monne First Team
2016 Marta Monne First Team
Angela Papach Second Team
2014 Rebecca Redgen Second Team
2012 Maria Coelho Honorable Mention
2011 Clara Vido Honorable Mention
Stephany Salas Second Team
2010 Lori Hunsucker First Team
Kara Jones Second Team
Bianca Bin Honorable Mention
Kassia Pinto Honorable Mention
2009 KC Clayton Second Team
Kara Jones Second Team
Natalya Panova Honorable Mention
2007 Shannon Phillips First Team
2006 Shannon Phillips First Team
2005 Shannon Phillips First Team
2004 Shannon Phillips First Team
2003 Cristine Sant’Anna First Team
Lia Mora Second Team
2002 Cristine Sant’Anna Second Team
Lia Mora Second Team
2000 Julia Mann First Team
Lia Mora Second Team
1997 Courtney Ziegenbein Second Team
1996 Courtney Ziegenbein First Team
Jamie Shanks Second Team
Lindsey Sheppard Honorable Mention
1995 Courtney Ziegenbein Second Team
Sarah Oesterling First Team 1994 Sarah Oesterling First Team 1993 Sharla Richardson First Team 1989 Katie Dow Second Team
OUTSTANDING PLAYER
COACH OF THE YEAR
1992 Scott Mayhew
Billy Canales
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2011 Stephany Salas
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
1995 Lindsey Sheppard
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
CUSA - WEEKLY HONORS
2023 Jailen Hurley
2021 McKenzie Johnson
WAC - WEEKLY HONORS
2007 Shannon Phillips
2002 Cristine Sant’Anna
SUN BELT - WEEKLY HONORS
1996 Jamie Shanks
Courtney Ziegenbein
1995 Courtney Ziegenbein
1994 Rhonda Rust
1993 Sharla Richardson
1992 Kyla Woodward
CUSA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
2018 Kaitlyn Adams
2017 Jacie McClure
2016 Jacie McClure
2015 Jacie McClure
AVCA TEAM ALL-ACADEMIC
2017 Jacie McClure
AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
2021 Louisiana Tech
2020 Louisiana Tech
2018 Louisiana Tech
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
2017 Jacie McClure Second Team
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
2017 Jacie McClure First Team
ALL-WAC ACADEMIC
2012 Maria Coelho
Paige Cooper
Caitlin Germany
Dalane Guidry
2011 Bianca Bin
Caitlin Germany
Emily Maher
Nataliya Panova
Clara Vido
2010 Kaylon Alexander
Taylor Fritz
Jennifer Goodwin
Lori Hunsucker
Gabryel Ording
Kassia Pinto
Mallory Stanley
2009 Kaylon Alexander
KC Clayton
Samantha Crowder
Taylor Fritz
Mallory Stanley
2008 Kaylon Alexander
Kaycie Artim
Debora Bolonhini
Sam Crowder
Taylor Fritz
Mallory Stanley
2007 Jill Walker
Shannon Phillips
Brittney Nakamura
2006 Carly Dunlop
Shannon Phillips
2005 Anielle Da Silva
Carly Dunlop
Shannon Phillips
Jill Walker
2004 Heather Anderson
Erin Dillie
Joy Okpa
Megan Rush
Shannon Phillips
2003 Heather Anderson
Joy Okpa
Megan Reush
Laura Osterhaus
2002 Heather Anderson
Megan Rush
Tanya Jarvis
Laura Osterhaus
2001 Elisa Sanchez
Tanya Jarvis
Michelle Twitty
Heather Anderson
Megan Rush
MISSION = Advance the LA Tech Athletics brand with your Time and Talent
TIME
You can simply spend time consuming our content. Attend or stream our live events, listen to our radio broadcasts, follow and engage on social media, read and share our team’s and student-athlete’s stories, proudly wear your Bulldog and Lady Techster gear, display our infamous logos.
TALENT
You can also advance the brand by investing your unique talents through gifts, skills, knowledge, or relationships. Purchase season or singlegame tickets, become a member of LTAC, T-Club, or the Aillet Society. Join the LA Tech family during our annual giving day. Introduce us to new potential partners. Or simply reach out and share your perspective on how we can help serve you better.
Everyone has TIME and TALENT to
offer.
You bark. We bark. Louder Together.
DR. JIM HENDERSON
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
@DrJBHenderson
Dr. Jim Henderson became the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University on Jan. 1, 2024. His ties to the institution go back more than 80 years when his father, Clem Henderson, was recruited to play for famed Louisiana Tech football coach, Joe Aillet. His mom, Martha, was a two-time Tech grad.
Henderson previously served as the president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System, one of the nation’s largest University systems. As the longestserving UL System president, he led the Universities of Louisiana in the creation of a strategic framework that charged its member institutions to produce the most educated generation in Louisiana’s history. Through various Systemic initiatives such as Compete LA, the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, and the challenges associated with a global pandemic and fiscal uncertainty, he developed a notion of System that will continue to benefit each of the nine institutions for decades to come.
Henderson also served as president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University, where he reinvigorated student life and campus culture leading to the highest enrollment in the school’s 135-year history. Before taking the helm of NSU, Henderson served as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. During his tenure, the institution ranked among the five fastest growing colleges in the nation for five consecutive years.
In 2012, Henderson was named a Northwest Louisiana Business Hall of Fame Laureate and in 2017 he was inducted into Northwestern State University’s hall of honor, the Long Purple Line. Henderson holds a master of science in administration from University of West Florida and a doctor of management from University of Maryland—University College. In 2010, he completed the Institute of Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University.
The smartest decision Henderson has made is marrying his college sweetheart,
Tonia who founded her own media company after a successful career in advertising. The Hendersons have three children, Reagan, Nicholas, and Alexander who is majoring in chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Miguel, Maria, and Lucille.
RYAN IVEY
VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
@rivey35
Louisiana Tech University President Dr. Jim Henderson introduced Ryan Ivey as Vice President and Director of Athletics in front of a packed Club Level at the Davison Athletics Complex.
Ivey comes to Ruston with more than 18+ years of experience in intercollegiate athletics with the past 11 as an athletics director at Stephen F. Austin, Austin Peay, and Texas A&M-Commerce.
“The Louisiana Tech athletics brand is synonymous with excellence. When you think about the student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams that have called this University home, it is really astounding. We have an opportunity to build upon, grow and establish future success,” Ivey said. “Our goal will be to build a nationally prominent athletics department with individuals that excel in everything that we do. We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence, respecting those that have come before us, but building and charting our own path and successes. Now is the time to be part of this amazing University and department!”
He spent more than five years in Nacogdoches, Texas at SFA, leading the department through a conference transition from the Southland Conference to the Western Athletic Conference, raising private support that included the launch of the Purple Lights Fund that helped secure the four largest single gifts in the department’s history, and increasing ticket sales by 189 percent.
He also helped complete more than $30 million in facility improvements including the Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center, a 42,000-square foot building that houses offices, locker rooms, weight room, training room, and practice courts for the SFA basketball programs. Other construction improvements included a baseball indoor pitching facility, beach volleyball competition facility, indoor golf practice facility, soccer locker room renovations, and more.
Under his leadership, the Lumberjacks celebrated 18 conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2019 Bowling National Championship won by the Ladyjacks after going a perfect 4-0, defeating top-ranked Vanderbilt in the title match.
Prior to joining SFA, Ivey spent three years (2015-18) at Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee, overseeing the department of athletics and its 16 sponsored sports.
While at the helm of the Governors, he helped raise $6.5 million in gifts which were funneled into facility improvements and the athletic departments budget on top of increase football and basketball ticket revenue a combined 39 percent.
While at Austin Peay, the Governors posted several accomplishments on the court/field including two postseason appearances by men’s basketball in 2016 and 2018, an eight-win season by football in 2017 that tied the program record for singleseason victories reached some 40 years prior in 1977, and a volleyball program that claimed both the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles.
His first Director of Athletics position came at NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Commerce. During his two-year stint with the Lions, the athletic programs experienced new heights by winning six team Lone Star Conference championships in the 2014-15 season, the most ever in Lion Athletics history.
In particular, the football program secured back-to-back winning seasons and postseason appearances for the first time since 1990, seeing a 160 percent increase in attendance and a record number of season tickets sold.
Along the way, he helped drive in more than $2.8 million in facility enhancements, including a $1.4 million softball field that saw a first-year program in 2015 finish with a winning record and gain a spot in the Lone Star Conference tournament. He also created the Lions Athletic Club, the fundraising arm of Texas A&M-Commerce Athletics.
Ivey’s first work experience in the state of Louisiana came at McNeese where he assumed the role of assistant athletic director for internal affairs with his efforts primarily focused on growing corporate sponsorship revenue for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.
He spent six years in Lake Charles, the last three of which were as associate director of athletics where he continued his work in revenue generation while overseeing operations for all 16 of the institution’s athletic programs.
Under his guidance, corporate sponsorship yield over $750,000 before accepting his first athletic director position at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Prior to breaking into athletic administration, Ivey served as the director of basketball operations for the Memphis women’s basketball team from 2005-07, which followed a short stint as an athletics marketing coordinator at the University of South Dakota.
Following his graduation from Memphis in 2004, Ivey secured a position with the Memphis Redbirds – the triple-A affiliate of the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals – as a stadium operations assistant.
A student-athlete at Memphis, Ivey suited up for the Tigers’ football team for four years as the squad’s punter and holder. Most notable, Ivey held or Lou Groza finalist and eventual three-time Super Bowl champion Stephen Gostkowski.
Ivey earned both his bachelor’s (sports management, 2004) and master’s (sports and leisure commerce, 2010) from the University of Memphis.
Ivey is married to the former Kelley Holt from Fayetteville, Tennessee. The couple has two sons – Jett and Ace.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT RYAN IVEY
Tommy McClelland, Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics
“I commend Dr. Henderson and the committee on an outstanding hire. Ryan Ivey is one of the most well-respected athletics administrators in the entire country. He has demonstrated success every place he has been. Having worked alongside Ryan for over five years, I can attest to his work ethic, leadership, and vision for an athletics department and its student-athletes. More importantly, he is a wonderful person, husband, and father. Ryan, Kelley, Jett, and Ace will be great additions to the Ruston Community. He is a perfect fit for Louisiana Tech!”
Brian Thornton, Western Athletic Conference Commissioner
“Ryan has proven to be an exceptional leader and even better person. During his time in the WAC, he was a huge contributor towards our goals building the league into a premier conference. He is a tireless worker who is always willing to roll up his sleeves and jump in whenever needed. It won’t take long for Ryan to have a pulse on how to take LA Tech to the next level!”
Jamie Boggs, Grand Canyon Vice President of Athletics
“Ryan is one of the best in the business. He is a culture-builder, a strategic thinker, and a selfless, humble leader. He will invest in the people and community at Louisiana Tech and he will move every area forward. Congratulations on an outstanding hire.”
Jeremy McClain, Southern Miss Director of Athletics
“Congratulations to Ryan and Louisiana Tech … this is a great hire for all involved! Ryan Ivey is one of the most genuine leaders in our industry and will positively impact everyone around him. His track record of success at multiple institutions speaks for itself, and that experience will allow him to be a difference maker in Ruston.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Director of Athletics
“I could not be more excited for Ryan and the LA Tech Family – a perfect fit! Ryan’s reputation as an innovator that ‘gets it done’ will be invaluable leadership for the Bulldogs. I am very proud and happy for the Ivey’s.”
Wren Baker, West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics
“I have known Ryan Ivey for many years and have been very impressed with his
incredible track record of building successful programs and leading with integrity. He is respected throughout intercollegiate athletics and has proven to be particularly successful at hiring talented coaches and administrators. Louisiana Tech is a tradition-rich program and I look forward to watching Ryan help add to the storied history at LA Tech.”
Brent Jones, Troy Director of Athletics
“I am extremely happy for Ryan on being appointed Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech. LA Tech has an illustrious history of success and Ryan is the right person at the right time to lead Bulldog Athletics into the future of intercollegiate athletics. I have known Ryan personally for almost 20 years and he is a man of character, integrity, vision, and passion. He will do an amazing job and continue to build upon the great work of Eric Wood and Tommy McClelland.”
