For the second time in as many games, the LSU volleyball team exited the PMAC with another loss on their 2013 record.
The Tigers fell in straight sets to defending national champion No. 4 Texas on Saturday one week after dropping their Southeastern Conference opener to Georgia.
LSU coach Fran Flory, who won a national championship as a player at Texas in the early 80s, said she was pleased with the way LSU battled against a much more physically imposing squad. She said the loss exposes plenty of things to work on heading into the remainder of conference play.
LSU held a lead in both of the first two sets, but Texas overpowered the Tigers later in the sets to take a commanding victory. The Longhorns capped their 10th win of the season with a dominating 25-17 performance in the third set.
Flory said she thought the early part of the sets showed some bright spots for the Tigers, but added that Texas’ size up front and strong backcourt play made it difficult for LSU to produce an offensive rhythm.
Freshman middle blocker Briana Holman led LSU with eight kills on the day, but the Tigers’ 18 errors left the team with an underwhelming .127 hitting percentage compared to Texas’ .347 clip. LSU had three players produce a negative hitting percentage.
Junior setter Malorie Pardo contributed 22 assists for the Tigers. While Flory said she felt Pardo handled the pressure of Texas well, Pardo said she still has plenty to work on before playing Texas A&M on Wednesday.
The Tigers will need to make a quick rebound from Saturday’s loss as the team travels to Texas A&M on Wednesday for its first ever SEC road trip to College Station, Texas.