The LSU beach volleyball team (4-3) looks to regain its winning streak Friday and Saturday in the Pelican Classic, at the White Sands Volleyball Courts in Metairie.
The Tigers lost their last three matches on March 12 and 13 in the Tiger Beach Challenge against Stetson, Florida International and Georgia State. Eleven of the 15 matches went to a third set.
LSU coach Russell Brock said he has been stressing mental preparedness to his squad to handle close matches like the ones they saw last weekend.
“We’re really looking at eliminating situations that limit our ability to take advantage of opportunities,” Brock said. “It’s not about changing or revamping or doing anything major. It’s more about attention to detail. It’s more about discipline. It’s about really holding ourselves to a high standard.”
On the first day of the tournament, the team will play a Louisiana-based field, featuring Tulane and the University of New Orleans on Friday. They will have a match against Spring Hill College and Missouri Baptist University on Saturday.
The No. 1 pair, senior Katie Lindelow and freshman Ashley Allmer, has a 4-3 record with a win against No. 10 Georgia State last weekend.
“Tulane is a fun match for us,” Lindelow said. “We see them a few times a year and this will be our first matchup of this season. They have some of the same people coming back, so there’s definitely an in-state rivalry there, but they’re a fun team to play.”
The No 2. duo, senior Helen Boyle and sophomore Lilly Kessler, is 6-1 undefeated in the CCSA conference, with a record of 3-1 against ranked teams. Sophomores Mandi Orellana and Cheyenne Wood, the No. 4 pair, have a 5-2 record.
Allmer said she is ready to compete Friday and Saturday.
“I’m expecting to win [this weekend],” Allmer said. “I think not only Katie and I, but our entire team trained hard enough and were coached well enough for us to be really good this year and for us to reach our potential. I think against Tulane, which should be our toughest competition, I really think, if we play the way we’ve been taught and really execute that, we’re going to win all the games.”
The No. 1 pair’s matches Friday will be televised on CST with Lyn Rollins, marking the first time in program history a regular season match will be televised.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Wingate Jones

LSU freshman Ashley Allmer (11) spikes the ball during the LSU Tiger Beach Challenge on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Mango Beach Volleyball Club