The LSU volleyball team went on the road and defeated Texas A&M in a five-set thriller, extending its winning streak to 10 games, 20-25, 25-16, 25-9, 22-25, 15-13.
The Tigers (15-7, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) started the game quickly, scoring four of the game’s first five points, but the Aggies (15-8, 7-5 SEC) answered just as fast to tie it up at four. The teams traded points until Texas A&M pulled away and took the first, 25-20.
Tied at 4 early in the second set, LSU found their stride in the game and jumped out to an 11-point lead. The Tigers ultimately closed out the set, 25-16.
LSU rode their second set momentum wave into the third, taking it easily 25-9. But the home team wasn’t ready to fold to Tigers just yet.
The Aggies took the fourth, 25-22, and forced a fifth set.
It was LSU’s second consecutive five-set match and just like they did in their last one, took off in a hurry in the fifth set. The Tigers held leads of 5-1, 10-4, and 13-7, but the Aggies fought back once again.
Texas A&M got the fifth set to 14-13, but an attack error gave the set and match to LSU.
LSU coach Fran Flory said she likes how her team powered through Texas A&M’s comebacks.
“I think overall we played a nice match,” Flory said in a press release. “We kind of went on a bit of a rollercoaster during sets, but I’m proud of our team for making it through and being resilient.”
The Tigers had a hitting percentage of .305 and a season-high 79 digs in the match with a host of players contributing large kill, assist and dig totals.
Senior setter Malorie Pardo led LSU with 49 assists and three blocks in the victory. The Texas native also contributed 19 digs and seven kills with a .545 hitting percentage.
Sophomore middle blocker Briana Holman had 18 kills and only 2 errors on 36 attempts to give her a hitting percentage of .444. 
Flory said Holman played the type of game they’ve come to expect from her.
“Bri had her usual match,” Flory said. “She gave us a lot of great energy tonight.”
Freshman outside hitter Mimi Eugene contributed 15 kills and 13 assists. Two of Eugene’s fellow outside hitters, freshman Gina Tillis and junior Cati Leak, each had 10 kills of their own.
On the defensive side, four Tigers finished the match with double-digit digs, but junior defensive specialist Haley Smith led LSU with 22 digs.
“Haley was a lifesaver on numerous plays and that really set the tone when we finish with as many digs as we did tonight,” Flory said.
The Tigers will look to keep the streak rolling next Friday in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center against Tennessee.