A strong performance by All-Southeastern Conference performer Jennifer Hampton, was not enough to spur LSU past Georgia in Friday’s first round of the SEC Tournament in Fayetteville, Ark.
Hampton recorded her seventeenth double-double of the season by slamming 12 kills and picking up 14 digs in LSU’s 30-22, 30-24, 24-30, 30-18 loss to the fifth-seeded Bulldogs. The loss denied LSU an opportunity to face top-ranked Florida in the second round. Head coach Fran Flory said that the Tigers would need to win the conference tournament in order to receive an NCAA Tournament bid.
The Tigers lost outside hitter Kyra Lancon in the match’s first game and were not able to recover. Lancon injured her ankle and did not return. At the time, Lancon was leading the team with four kills and a blistering .375 hitting percentage.
“We fought as hard as we could after Kyra went down,” said head coach Fran Flory. “Kyra has been our most consistent player offensively, and the player we have been going to the most.”
Sophomore middle blocker Regan Hood and Cara Causey each added 12 kills in the losing effort. Causey also knocked back a team-high seven shots. Rachel Vogt added six blocks, and Katie Kubena chipped in five blocks. Rachel Pittman recorded ten digs for the Tigers.
“I thought Regan Hood came through for us, and Cara Causey did a good job after we tried to get Lauren Cuyler in there in the beginning,” Flory said. “I am proud of our effort but there was just too much for us to overcome tonight.”
The Tigers finished the season 17-11 overall and 9-7 in conference matches. The seventeen victories is the most for an LSU volleyball team since the 1999 season.