The LSU volleyball team opens its NCAA Tournament play tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Eugene, Oregon, against Oklahoma.
The Tigers played their way into an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament after winning 14 of their last 15 matches and finishing third in the Southeastern Conference. But they will have to travel almost 2,000 miles to the Northwest for the second consecutive season to open play.
In last year’s tournament, LSU defeated Michigan before eventually falling to No. 3 overall seed Washington in four sets in Seattle.
LSU coach Fran Flory said her team wasn’t ready for the bright lights of the tournament last year because it missed the tournament the two years prior. But now, many of her players have tournament experience, and she said the Tigers need to play even better this time around to avoid a sophomore slump.
“You can’t be satisfied that you got there again,” Flory said. “You’ve got to be more prepared this year because people aren’t surprised you’re there. I think we’ve got to be careful with that.”
Similar to LSU, Oklahoma saw its tournament run last season end on the west coast. The Sooners lost in the second round to No. 7 overall seed Stanford in straight sets.
But contrary to the Tigers, this season marks Oklahoma’s sixth straight trip to the NCAA tournament. The Sooners return 12 players from last season’s
team, giving them more experience than the Tigers.
Flory said Oklahoma coach Santiago Restrepo has a similar philosophy to hers. Both coaches don’t use any gimmicks, putting their players in the best positions to succeed and letting them decide the outcome.
“It’ll be a matchup of who takes care of the ball on their side and who stays in system and who maintains their poise and composure the best,” Flory said.
Oklahoma’s strength is its pen and includes two All-Big 12 First Team outside hitters, junior Kierra Holst and sophomore Madison Ward. Junior Julia Doyle is also an All-Big 12 First Team member and was named Big 12 Setter of the Year.
But the Tigers have the firepower to contend with the Sooners’ stars. Junior outside hitter Cati Leak and sophomore middle blocker Briana Holman were each named to the All-SEC Team last week, while freshman outside hitter Gina Tillis was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Leak said she’s excited to see what LSU can do with a fresh start in the tournament.
“Anything can happen in the postseason,” Leak said. “It’ll be a tough matchup, but we’re willing to take it … I think that we’re ready for it.”
If the Tigers defeat the Sooners, they will face the winner of Santa Clara and No. 10 overall seed Oregon on Friday at 6 p.m.