The LSU volleyball team rode a balanced effort to its first sweep of the season Sunday afternoon as it beat Mississippi State 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 in the PMAC.
The Tigers (13-3, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) have now won three consecutive matches in a grueling stretch that saw them play three matches in five days after dropping consecutive matches for the first time all season the previous two weeks.
“[The victory against Mississippi State] is really good for us to get our confidence back,” said sophomore outside hitter Katie Lindelow. “We feel good going into this next weekend.”
Lindelow’s play reflected the balanced nature of the team as she notched a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs.
The Tigers smacked home 52 kills on an efficient .317 hitting percentage and also managed to record 61 digs. The team also turned in an impressive blocking effort up front with eight team blocks.
Junior setter Malorie Pardo continued her impressive play as she set her teammates up for 44 assists and eclipsed 3,000 career assists.
Freshman middle blocker Briana Holman led the team in kills with 13. Pardo and Holman have displayed improving chemistry with each game and are proving to be a lethal duo.
“Malorie is really beginning to feel where Bri is,” said head coach Fran Flory. “As they play together more through the course of the season, that could be a really special connection.”
Sophomore defensive specialist Haley Smith led the Tigers’ defensive effort with a team-high 22 digs.
Smith credited the team’s disciplined blocking up front with making life easier for the defense on the back line.
“Our blocking was very disciplined; they were stopped when they needed to be,” Smith said. “They closed blocks when they needed to, which makes backcourt defense very easy for us.”
Flory said the key to recording the first sweep of the season was balance and poise.
“We stayed with the game plan,” Flory said. “I think tonight and throughout the course of these three matches, we did a nice job of balancing our energy level, balancing our intensity and remaining a much more stable team.”
LSU will continue SEC play at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it travels to take on Auburn in Auburn Arena.

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Connor Tarter

LSU junior setter Malorie Pardo (14) attempts to block a scoring attempt from Mississippi State senior outside hitter Dani McCree (16) Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 during the Tigers' victory against the Bulldogs in the PMAC.