LSU’s volleyball team just hasn’t been able to figure it out yet.
The Tigers (5-6) have played, and lost, a total of five games on their newly-installed home floor at the PMAC. In three of those five matches, LSU was swept in straight sets.
According to LSU coach Fran Flory, the team’s youth is playing a role in its failures at home.
“We’re still learning how to handle the pressures of playing at home,” she said. “That comes with our inexperience … Sometimes the girls try to do too much at home because they’re trying to perform well in front of the fans.”
Despite their recent struggles at home, Tiger fans continue showing up for home games, which pleases some LSU players.
“I’d say the support at home has been pretty great even though we haven’t won here yet,” said junior outside hitter Gina Tillis.
Although LSU received a solid turnout for its home game against Baylor on Sept. 14, many students decided to make an exit before halftime.
“That always happens when we give away a free T-shirt,” Flory said in reference to the promotion for the game. “We understand that is the mindset of the student body right now.”
In order to change their luck at the PMAC and beyond, the Tigers have recently started using an accountability system at practice.
The buddy system pairs two players together for practice. The goal is to hold players accountable for one another and practice with a greater intensity and a quicker pace.
“We just started using the accountability system, but I think it has already translated to our attitude on the court,” said senior middle blocker Tiara Gibson. “We’ve played with a lot more intensity in the past two games because of it, and if it wasn’t for our mental mistakes, I think we would already have a home win by now.”
Although LSU is motivated to finally win at home, the team recently received advice from volleyball players of years past.
LSU welcomed back more than 70 volleyball alumnae on Sept. 18 when the Tigers played the Florida State Seminoles.
“The alumnae really helped us put our season in perspective,” Gibson said. “It was nice to get their input.”
The Tigers open Southeasten Conference play this weekend when they travel to Alabama to take on the Auburn Tigers.
Following the match, LSU will resume its chase for its first home victory, when it faces Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Missouri in a three-week home stretch.