The LSU volleyball team opened up the 2014 season in the Mortar Board Premier with back-to-back games on Friday.
The Tigers fell against the No. 14 San Diego State Toreros in four sets 24-26, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25 in their first match-up. Sophomore Briana Holman, with three aces and 17 kills, led the Tigers in a losing effort.
In the second match of the tournament, the Tigers rebounded against the University of South Florida in 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18), winning three straight sets after dropping the first. Holman again led the Tigers with 16 kills. Senior Malorie Pardo earned a triple-double with 10 kills, 40 assists and 11 digs.
After splitting the first two matches of the Mortar Board Premier, the Tigers (1-1) will play the event host No. 8 Purdue University on Saturday at 6 p.m.