The LSU sand volleyball team took a step backward this weekend when it dropped three of four contests in Miami, Fla., at the Florida International Surf & Turf Tournament.
LSU coach Russell Brock went into the weekend hoping to come out with at least three more wins, but that goal became impossible Friday after two 4-1 losses to North Florida and No. 7 Florida International.
Three matches between LSU and North Florida were decided in three sets, all of which the Tigers lost.
Though the loss to FIU was more decisive — only two sets were needed to determine all five matches — Brock said it was equally disappointing because he felt the Tigers did not play to their full potential.
“FIU was a big challenge,” Brock said in a news release. “We did not play our best volleyball against them. They were definitely a tough opponent, but we did not play well enough to get an honest gauge on how we truly matched up.”
The Tigers rebounded Saturday and defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 3-2 but closed dual play on a sour note later that afternoon with a 3-2 loss to Florida Atlantic.
Once again, LSU struggled to close matches out, as all five of their losses came in decisive third sets.
“We have to go back and watch some film to figure out how we can be better in those tight matches,” Brock said. “Thankfully, we were able to pull out the Florida Gulf Coast match.”
LSU’s No. 1 pair of senior Meghan Mannari and sophomore Katie Lindelow made it to the semi-finals of the gold bracket of the pairs tournament Sunday for the second consecutive week.
The contest pitted the tandem against North Florida’s No. 1 pair, in a rematch of Friday’s close match which Mannari and Lindelow dropped 18-21, 21-18, 15-12.
Sunday’s contest also came down to the wire.
After dropping the first set, 25-23, Mannari and Lindelow stormed back to even the contest up, 21-14.
The LSU duo looked to be in good shape with a 10-7 advantage after leading a majority of the third set. But the Ospreys’ top pair grinded their way back for a 15-13 victory to take the match and advance to the finals.
“We have to go back and watch some film to figure out how we can be better in those tight matches.”