The LSU volleyball team remained undefeated at home this weekend as they won two hard-fought matches against Southeastern Conference foes Auburn and Alabama.
The Tigers dominated Auburn on Friday, beating them in three games 30-17, 30-23 and 30-19.
“I think we played very well,” said Coach Fran Flory. “We created opportunities and we capitalized on that, and that’s something we’ve been working on, and that’s probably the biggest progress.”
Auburn jumped out to an early lead in the first game, but a service ace by Jelena Mijatovic pushed the Tigers ahead 8-7. The Tigers widened their lead considerably near the end of the game and won 30-17.
LSU led throughout the second game. With the Tigers ahead 29-20, and needing just one point to clinch the match, Auburn scored three straight points. Marina Skender responded with a kill to clinch the win for the Tigers, 30-23. Skender, last week’s SEC Volleyball Freshman Player of the Week, led the team in digs with 16.
“Marina’s just a great player,” Flory said. “She has become a huge part of our offense, a true go-to player on the right side, and that’s a little unusual to have a go-to on the right side.”
In the third game, Auburn jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a service ace by Rachel Shanks. But LSU tied it up at 1-1, took the lead and never looked back. The Tigers won the game 30-19 and sealed the match victory.
Junior middle blocker Melody Clark recorded six blocks and tied for the match lead with Ivana Kuzmic. Daniela Romero led the Tigers in assists with 41 and Kassi Mikulik led in digs with 11. Two service aces were recorded by both Mijatovic and Kyna Washington.
Sunday, the Tigers faced a rematch against Alabama, a team the Tigers fell to in four games three weeks ago. This time, the Tigers came out on top and defeated the Tide in three straight games 30-23, 30-20, and 30-23.
“I think we played very well and very balanced,” said Flory.
LSU was in control for much of the first game, setting the pace for the following games. LSU won the match 30-23.
Alabama led the second game until the Tigers tied it at eight with a Kuzmic block. After taking the lead at 12-11 the Tigers never fell behind again and won the game 30-20.
The beginning of the third game went back and forth between the two teams before the Tigers took the lead for good at 6-5 on a service ace. After three straight points by the Tide, the Tigers scored the game point and won 30-23 to clinch the match.
“We can still improve on attacking,” said Kuzmic. “It was really aggressive today but we can do better, blocking also. Every point can be improved.”
Contact Courtney Mistich at [email protected]