After trailing much of the first set, LSU volleyball rallied to win the set over visiting Mississippi State and never looked back, sweeping the Bulldogs, 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-17).
It was the Tigers’ first home match since an Aug. 27 loss to Miami.
Mississippi State (6-7, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) began to a hot start, leading the Tigers (10-3, 3-0 SEC) by three and four points for much of the first set. Down 19-22, LSU took a timeout, and junior outside hitter Madie Jones led the Tigers to a tight first set victory.
“There was definitely a turning point where we looked at each other and we were like, ‘We’re not going to lose to Mississippi State on our home court,'” Jones said. “‘We’re taking this game, we’re going to turn around here and we’re going to push us.”
LSU was successful in shutting down the Bulldogs’ senior middle blocker Hannah Wilkinson, who leads the NCAA in hitting percentage, and stopping reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Lainey Wyman, who leads SEC freshmen in kills. Wyman was held to two kills on the match.
Flory said the team set a strong blocking scheme to stop the potent Mississippi State attack.
“You have to credit [assistant coach Steve Loeswick] and [assistant coach Jill Wilson] with the game plan,” Flory said. “Our left sides did a great job of blocking and our backcourt did as fall.”
Sophomore middle blocker Desiree Elliott contributed 11 kills, while senior middle blocker Michele Williams added 9.
The Tigers will continue their SEC homestand Friday against a Tennessee team (11-2, 4-0 SEC) coming off a road win against No. 6 Florida.
“Tennessee is probably the most physically talented, athletic team in the league,” Flory said. “That’s going to be a huge challenge for