Going into this weekend, a letdown was a real possibility for the LSU volleyball team.
The Tigers (17-8, 9-5 Southeastern Conference) were coming off a loss to conference foe to Kentucky on Tuesday that put them three games behind SEC West leader Arkansas with four left to play, and were facing two teams, in Mississippi State and Ole Miss, that they had defeated earlier in the year.
However, LSU kept their focus and defeat both the Bulldogs and Rebels on Friday and Sunday, respectively, winning both in deciding fifth games. The Tigers now have won seven of their previous eight matches.
In a poor offensive display by both teams on Sunday, the Tigers used their superior digging ability and a big day blocking at the net to put the Rebels away.
LSU only mustered a .177 hitting percentage compared to the Rebels .170, but recorded a season high of 95 digs and a strong effort of 13 blocks on the day.
But even with the victory, LSU head coach Fran Flory continues to lament the Tigers offensive effort.
“Once again this weekend, we are really lucky to come away with a victory,” Flory said. “Our offense had trouble finding its rhythm today and just never seemed to find its pace. As a credit to Ole Miss, they put up a great fight for their senior day, but we really did not play well until the fifth game.”
With the match tied at two games apiece, the Tigers dominated the deciding fifth game.
Leading 5-4, LSU went on a 10-1 run, and won the game going away, 15-5.
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Hampton led the way for the Tigers, recording 24 kills to go with 24 digs.
Sophomore middle blocker Regan Hood continued her inspired play, contributing 14 kills and nine blocks.
A strong effort by senior setter Katie Kubena led the way in the Tigers’ five-game victory Friday over Mississippi State.
Kubena came one dig away from a triple-double, recording 54 assists, 11 kills and nine digs.
Once again, the offense struggled at times in Starkville, Miss., as LSU got off to a slow start in game one, recording a minuscule .103 hitting percentage in the 30-28, first game loss to the Bulldogs.
However, the Tigers got back on track, and finished the match with a .249 hitting percentage.
LSU won games two and three before the Bulldogs used a 9-2 run to dominate game four, pulling away for a 30-20 win.
Game five proved to be exciting, as both teams swapped points before senior outside hitter Rachel Vogt recorded the game winning kill in the 15-13 win.
“We are fortunate to come away with the win [Friday],” Flory said. “I am proud of the way we fought back in the end, but we dug ourselves a deep hole that we had to get out of.”
LSU continues its season Wednesday, traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., to face the West leading Razorbacks at 7 p.m.