The LSU volleyball team opens Southeastern Conference play against Georgia this weekend in the Tigers’ first home match in nearly a month.
The Tigers (10-1) closed out their eight-game road trip with a near-perfect record, which junior defensive specialist Laura Whalen said gives the team plenty of momentum going into conference play.
But LSU is still looking for a fresh start on Friday.
“Now, we’re just really focusing on executing,” Whalen said. “We know the SEC is going to be a high level and competitive all around. We’re just going to keep working on controlling the first contact on our side and being able to run our offense and putting up a big block against other teams.”
Sophomore outside hitter Cati Leak described Georgia (10-2) as a physical team that focuses on its outside hitters in the offensive
attack.
LSU coach Fran Flory said she thinks the physical play of the Bulldogs will set up an interesting game at and above the net this weekend.
“I think this could be a
really fun matchup,” Flory said.
“Because they’re so physical, we’re going to have to be creative offensively. Malorie [Pardo] is going to have to manage the game well and our hitters are going to have to pick the right spots and not get impatient but be patient enough.”
The Tigers will most likely be without their only senior in middle blocker Desiree Elliott again on Friday as she continues to recover from a foot injury she suffered during non-conference play.
Flory said she isn’t in any hurry to get Elliott back on the court before she’s ready and doesn’t think her absence is impossible to overcome.
“You lose a player like [Elliott], she’s certainly an impacting player, but other people have found ways,” Flory said. “Madi Mahaffey has become a dominant right side blocker. Briana Holman has stepped into an amazing role on offense and Khourtni Fears has stepped into the other spot and really provided a very consistent, stable position and person in the line up.”
Whalen said the loss of Elliott allowed other players to step up in her place, and they’ve done so flawlessly. The team has plenty of strong leaders who have been able to fill Elliott’s role on the court she said.
“While it’s hard not having her on the court and having her be a contributor player-wise, she’s done a good job talking on the bench,” Whalen said. “It’s hard to not have her, but we’re still able to function at a high level without her.”