There is no place like home.
That is the tune the LSU volleyball team is singing as the Tigers are in the midst of a five-game Southeastern Conference homestand.
But an inauspicious start saw the Tigers lose two-of-three matches last week. The Tigers lost to Arkansas 3-1 and South Carolina 3-0 to start the SEC schedule, before beating Kentucky Sunday 3-2.
Coach Fran Flory attributes the rough going to the quality of opponent the Tigers have faced so far this season.
“We started with two of the top three teams in the conference,” Flory said. “I think that starting that way is a difficult start. That’s a tough schedule for us to start with as a young team.”
However, The Tigers did pick up a conference win against the Wildcats to cap the first weekend of SEC play. Flory said getting the first conference win is good for the team’s confidence.
“That’s going to certainly help us next weekend and going through the SEC schedule,” Flory said. “Any time you can pick off somebody from the other division, it’s important.”
Junior Regan Hood led the Tigers against the Wildcats with her fifth double-double of the season. Hood recorded 18 kills and 19 digs in the match.
The homestand for the Tigers continues Friday against Auburn (9-5, 0-2 SEC) and Sunday against Alabama (6-7, 1-1 SEC).
LSU (6-9, 1-2) swept Auburn 3-0 in both meetings of 2002 and is 21-11 all-time against the Tigers.
“Auburn is a much improved team from where they were last year,” Flory said. “They redshirted a couple of people last year and now they’re playing. They’re athleticism is much higher and they’re a better team.”
The Tigers hold a slight edge over division foe Alabama, leading the all-time series 19-15. Home-court advantage dictated the series in 2002, as both teams won at home.
“Alabama has a lot of their kids returning, although they had a change in setter,” Flory said. “I think they got off to a little bit of a slower start. They’ve had a roller coaster ride just like we have.”
Flory said the Tigers need to defend home court this weekend in order to be successful.
“Home wins are vital,” Flory said. “We have to take advantage of the matches that we have at home, regardless of who’s on the other side of the court.”
And on the other side of the court this weekend are two SEC western division foes in Alabama and Auburn.
“I think these matches will be very competitive,” Flory said. “I think they’ll be very close. We’re pretty hopeful that playing on our home court will be the advantage that we need.”