Exactly a week after defeating the University of Arkansas to clinch a berth in the Southeastern Conference tournament, the LSU volleyball team found itself going head-to-head with the Lady Razorbacks once again.
This time around was different for the Tigers, as they fell in five games. The loss sent LSU home with dashed hopes of winning the SEC and competing for a national championship.
“We started the match nervous and tense rather than intense,” said coach Fran Flory in a press release. “Once we got relaxed and into our rhythm, I thought we took advantage of everything that we could have. I am really proud of them because they fought back where they could have easily folded in game three, but they didn’t. They were resilient, tough and gave everything they could today.”
Arkansas came out strong, taking the first two games 30-22 and 30-21, and headed into halftime needing only one more win to clinch the match. Behind, the Tigers came out of the locker room and battled back. The team took the next two games 30-27 and 31-29 forcing a fifth and final game. Arkansas stepped up to the challenge never letting the Tigers come within three points.
The Lady Razorbacks took the fifth match 15-12, winning the game. But they fell to Tennessee on Saturday. LSU fell to 16-11 on the season.
“I think this loss is a positive step for us as a team because we broke through, after being down two games, and came back and were on the break,” Flory said. “If we would have had two breaks go our way, we would have won the match. I am really proud, but I am disappointed in the same light.”
With the loss, the Tigers have one last tournament next weekend at home. LSU will host Tulane, Houston and Arkansas in the SEC/C-USA Challenge. The Tigers face off with Tulane Friday at 7 p.m. They will close the weekend with a match against Houston Sunday at 7 p.m.