For the first time this season, the No. 16 LSU volleyball team had to bounce back from a loss.
The response was overwhelmingly positive.
The Tigers (14-1, 5-1) swept South Carolina (3-13, 0-6) Sunday in Columbia, S.C., and were barely challenged in the three-set victory, winning 25-14, 25-19 and 25-19, respectively.
“I was really proud of how they responded today,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “We easily could have lost some confidence and lose sight of who we are. And I think they did just the contrary.”
The Tigers were led by senior outside hitter Angela Bensend’s 11 kills, while junior middle blocker Michele Williams tacked on 10 kills of her own.
Junior libero Lauren Waclawczyk also added 11 digs.
The Tigers recorded a hitting percentage of .434 as a team.
“Our defense was really good, our service games helped our hitters a lot and we kept our communication up and just fought every point,” Bensend said. “It was great.”
Flory said the team came out Sunday with something to prove following its first loss of the season.
“I think this team has been driven and plays hard for each other,” Flory said. “It’s not a one-person show. We have to have everybody do their jobs to a high level to be successful. And I think everybody kind of took Friday night personally, and they played today with a point to prove.”
The Tigers’ school record 13-game winning streak to open the season was snapped Friday night in Gainesville, Fla., when No. 2 Florida took the Tigers down in four sets.
“We weren’t very efficient, but Florida was a big part of that,” Flory said. “Their blocking took us out of offense especially on the outside with Angela and [sophomore outside hitter] Madie [Jones].
Flory also said Florida’s success in the service game was detrimental to the Tigers.
“We lost the serve-and-pass battle for the first time this season,” Flory said. “It’s an awfully difficult road to win a match when Florida is serving you off the court. They attacked us, and we didn’t respond very well.”
The Tigers had the advantage in kills, but the Gators finished with a .323 to .190 hitting advantage.
Florida also led 65-56 in sideout efficiency.
LSU was led by Williams with 14 kills and had a .345 hitting percentage. Freshman middle blocker Desiree     Elliott also had nine kills with five blocks.
Now that the Tigers are back on the winning track, Flory said there are many areas in which the Tigers must make positive strides.
“We need to maintain our persepective,” Flory said. “We made Friday night about something other than playing our system and executing at a high level. I think the biggest growth point out of this weekend is if we do execute on a high level on our side and play the way we’re capable of … then we can be competitive with anybody and our system works.”
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Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]