The LSU volleyball team dropped its fourth loss in the past five games after No. 5 Florida dealt the Tigers a 3-1 defeat in the PMAC Friday night.
The Tigers held tough for portions of the game, but LSU freshman middle blocker Briana Holman said she felt the team let opportunity after opportunity slip against a good opponent.
Holman recorded a .370 hitting percentage and led the team with 12 kills during the match — the only Tiger to break double digits.
The Tigers recorded 25 hitting errors in the course of four sets, good for a .118 hitting clip compared to the Gators’ .283. Florida had four players post double-digit kills in the game.
LSU and Florida tied with nine blocks apiece Friday night, but the Gators middle created more than enough trouble for the Tigers as senior middle blocker Chloe Mann stifled much of the LSU offense at the net.
The loss doesn’t come without a glimmer of hope for the Tigers, however, as junior setter Malorie Pardo said she believes this team is better than people believe and improvement is on the rise.
The Gators entered the game with more match wins than lost sets this season as 16 of Florida’s 20 victories came in a three-set sweep. The Tigers handed Florida their fifth lost set in a win during the 2013 campaign.
Flory said she thinks her squad could’ve easily pushed the match to a fifth set if they closed out in the second set and anything can happen in a winner-takes-all situation.
LSU made a focus in improving serves heading into the match with the Gators, according to Flory, and the Tigers head coach was pleased with the six serving aces her team posted Friday night.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to Georgia as the team travels to Athens, Ga., next weekend to take on the Bulldogs for the second time this season. Georgia took the first game 3-1 in LSU’s Southeastern Conference home opener.

Gallery • 19 Photos

Richard Redmann

LSU junior outside hitter Helen Boyle (8) serves the ball Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 during the Tiger's 3-1 loss to the Florida Gators in the PMAC.