Improbable runs through conference tournaments happen almost every year. Regardless of the sport contested, one team emerges from the middle of the pack to surprise the regular season leaders on its way to the big dance.
An unexpected run in this weekend’s Southeastern Conference Volleyball Tournament is precisely what LSU needs to extend its season. Like basketball, the tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. For LSU, and its 17-10 record, nothing short of a championship will prolong the season for five seniors.
“For our seniors, this is our last go and everyone always steps up,” said outside hitter Jennifer Hampton. “We all know that we have to bring the best game we have against Georgia. We are going to leave it all out there.”
First up for fourth-seed LSU is a rematch against fifth-place Georgia tonight at 8 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark. One month ago, the Tigers topped the Bulldogs in a hard-fought, five-game match. Recently, the Bulldogs have won three of four and feature the league’s most dominating freshman.
“Georgia is a hot team in the SEC right now,” said head coach Fran Flory. “We had a really good and a really tough match. They’re a team that has an outside hitter, Julia Petrischke, who as a freshman was an impact player. The key is to keep her out of rhythm.”
Petrischke, who slammed 27 kills against the Tigers in the first meeting, is hitting .266 from the floor and averaging 5.2 kills per game.
The Tigers head into the tournament coming off consecutive shutout losses to Tennessee and Arkansas. In the losses, the Tigers’ average hitting percentage was just more than 20 percent.
“We have to regain a little confidence on offense,” Flory said. “It’s an attitude thing because at this point in the season you have as many reps as you’re going to get.”
The Tigers again will rely on their top players to propel them into a potential second-round matchup with conference champion Florida.
Hampton was the regular season leader with four kills per game while attacking at a .204 rate. She also leads the team with 2.93 digs per game. Sophomore middle blocker Regan Hood registered three kills per game and a team high .281 hitting percentage. Senior setter Katie Kubena has contributed a staggering 1,119 assists on the year and freshman middle blocker Cara Causey has been a force defensively, averaging 1.12 blocks per game.
Flory said in order for her team to be successful, someone has to step up and spark the team.
“The people who are successful in conference tournaments typically have somebody make a heroic effort and do something a little extraordinary,” Flory said.
A win against Georgia (18-13, 8-8 SEC) would give the Tigers another shot at the No.1-ranked team in the Southern Region, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Earlier this season, the Tigers dropped a four-game match to the Gators. In doing so, the Tigers became the first team in nearly two years to take a game from the Gators in Gainesville, Fla.
Flory said her team cannot afford to look ahead to Florida, especially with the team’s recent struggles.
“We have to be very prepared and very focused on Georgia,” Flory said. “We need to take of business and take that first step Friday night.”