With a charitable cause that has drawn four of the top five biggest crowds in the history of LSU gymnastics, tonight’s meet is significantly more special than the rest.
No. 10 LSU will host No. 20 North Carolina State for the second time in the last four years in the Etta James Memorial Meet, dedicated to former LSU linebacker Bradie James’ mother, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001.
LSU coach D-D Breaux has done what she can to ensure the attendance numbers of the past will transfer to this year’s meet by travelling to dorms and fraternity houses to raise awareness for the competition.
“We have, I think, done our part to create some awareness and create a buzz,” Breaux said. “We want that buzz to push people out of the dorms and out of the fraternity and sorority houses, the apartments, and make this their first stop on Friday night.”
LSU is 9-0 all-time against the Wolfpack and 3-0 in the PMAC, most recently winning, 197.150-195.725, in 2009 in front of 6,170 fans – the second-largest home crowd in school history.
The Tigers are on a roll of late, posting their three highest team scores of the season in the past three meets. LSU scored a season-high 49.350 on floor to cap last week’s home meet against No. 3 Alabama, highlighted by freshman Lloimincia Hall’s season-high 9.95 in the event.
“We did really well, but I think we had a lot of fun,” said senior Ashley Lee. “We stayed in the process throughout the whole meet. We never gave up. We were in the fight throughout the whole competition.”
Lee said ending that meet on a positive note on floor should transfer to tonight’s competition.
“It was a really good meet for us,” she said. “Going into the pink meet, it being the breast cancer meet, this is an important meet for us. You want a lot of people there. You want to be able to give back as much as we can. The more fans we get, it’s obviously going to be better.”
LSU will be participating in consecutive home meets for the first and only time this season — a luxury that sophomore Kaleigh Dickson doesn’t take for granted.
“I love the home atmosphere, and I love not having to worry about traveling, and it’s awesome to have all our fans there cheering us on,” Dickson said.
The Lady Tigers posted their highest score of the regular season at the Etta James meet last year, with a 196.350 against then-No. 5 Georgia. LSU has bettered that score in each of its last three meets.
“We’re definitely in a really good spot right now, a lot better off than last year,” Dickson said. “We’re getting better each week and progressing, which is the most important thing right now.”
 
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Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected]