Even though the LSU volleyball team has already faced Alabama and Ole Miss this season, the Tigers plan to act as if they’ve never taken the court against either team before. In reality, the Tigers have already won matches on the road against both teams.
LSU scored a 3-2 win at Ole Miss on Sept. 16 and came away from Alabama with a 3-1 win Sept. 18.
But the Tigers have been encouraged to take this weekend’s matchups with the Tide and Rebels as new challenges.
LSU coach Fran Flory said the teams LSU played against earlier in the season may not be the same teams they face this weekend.
“You can’t make assumptions,” Flory said. “You can’t assume that teams are going to perform the same way, play on the same level or even have the same game plan against you.”
Freshman setter Malorie Pardo said that while Flory told the team to think of Alabama and Ole Miss as new opponents, the Tigers’ earlier matches against the teams will help them “adjust to both teams’ big hitters on the left and right.”
Ole Miss senior middle blocker Regina Thomas leads the SEC in hitting percentage and blocks.
Junior libero Meghan Mannari said everyone in the Southeastern Conference had surprise upsets, so LSU must remain on its toes.
The Tigers aren’t just focused on adequately preparing for this weekend’s test, but also working on consistency throughout matches.
LSU has taken the first set with a dominating performance in each of its last three wins, but dropped the second set in every match.
“The second game we come out and start off four points down and that’s always hard to come back from for any team,” Mannari said. “Taking care of business right away is what’s going to help us be successful this weekend.”
Flory said she thinks the second time facing an SEC opponent is even more difficult than the first.
“You really have to be even more prepared than the first time,” Flory said. “All the coaches in this league are very good and they’ll adapt, so we just have to be ready for anything.”
The Tigers are working to stay undefeated against SEC West opponents on this season.
The last time LSU dropped a match to an SEC West team was against Ole Miss last October.
“We’re playing on our home court and you always want to defend your home court,” Mannari said. “It’s a matter of pride, and it’s a matter of winning the SEC West.”
Despite their recent SEC West dominance, Flory said the Tigers have had recent trouble with offensive consistency.
“We kind of ran into a lull with our offensive efficiency,” Flory said. “We have to take care of the ball a little better and trust our defense.”
LSU will face Alabama at 7 p.m. tonight and Ole Miss at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]