The LSU volleyball team (5-5) lost any momentum it established the previous week on Wednesday night.
The Tigers, coming off of a successful trip to Orlando, Florida, where they won the University of Central Florida Tournament, fell short against the Baylor Bears (7-4) in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The Bears swept LSU in three sets. The Tigers struggled with errors and miscues for most of the night.
“I’m not sure who this team is because it’s not the team the same team that traveled to Orlando,” LSU coach Fran Flory said. “There was a great lack of confidence and intensity tonight.”
The Tigers fell in the first set by a score of 25-22. Sophomore defensive specialist Katie Kampen hit back-to-back aces and juniors Gina Tillis and Khourtni Fears had multiple kills.
LSU could not seem to find a jumpstart in the second set, trailing by as many as nine points early on. The Tigers were able to capitalize off of a few Baylor errors and the intensity from freshman middle blocker Jacqui Armer. Armer helped rally the Tigers despite the distracting mass exodus from the fans near the end of the set.
“Armer really gave us a much-needed short in the arm in the second set and the rest of the night,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “Probably one of the few bright spots of the night.”
LSU dropped the second set 25-19 and entered the locker room at halftime with the weight of a winless home record on their shoulders.
“At halftime we talked about staying in tune and maintaining focus,” said freshman outside hitter Sydney Mukes. “We took too many plays off in the second set, and that’s not who were are as a team.
LSU started the third set with great intensity, but were plagued by errors and miscommunication once again. Armer along with Mukes had multiple kills in the third set, then the Tigers fell 26-24.
“Baylor played quickly and decisively, and that’s what wins games at this point in the season,” she continued. “We need our seniors to lead, and we need to create a team identity of passion and confidence.”
After Wednesday’s match, the Tigers are preparing to host No. 13 Florida State on Sunday.
“We’re going to practice hard and look at shaking the starting lineup,” Flory said. “We need to develop consistency if we want to win games going forward.”
