LSU volleyball took the floor Sunday afternoon to host the Arkansas Razorbacks.
When the Tigers took the floor, they were hoping to end a three-loss streak and turn it around against the Razorbacks on LSU’s Senior Day.
In set one, the Tigers and Razorbacks started quickly and were tied at 1-1 after the first two volleys.
Something the Tigers struggled with against South Carolina was taking advantage of Gamecock mistakes. Early in this match, the Tigers capitalized on that, gaining points on Arkansas service errors.
Great serves and huge blocks had the Razorbacks scrambling on defense. Effective communication and sheer athleticism kept the Tigers alive when a ball came their way.
“We’ve been working a ton on our defensive game, trying to make sure we are in the right spots at the right time. We were the most disciplined I’ve seen us on contact,” head coach Tonya Johnson said.
After an LSU 4-0 scoring run, the score was 13-8 as the Tigers forced an Arkansas timeout.
The Tigers then went on a 6-2 scoring run to make the score 20-11, and the Tigers were looking to dominate the set after Jurnee Robinson put up a powerful kill over a Razorback defender.
The Tigers dominated the rest of the set, winning 25-15.
In set two, the Tigers went on a 6-1 scoring run, making the score 7-2.
Midway through the second set, the Tigers led the Razorbacks 16-9 and were looking to extend the lead after freshman Jessica Jones found a block against a Razorback ball that was begging for mercy.
After another error by the Razorbacks, the Tigers took a 20-10 lead and were seething with confidence as they took their 21st point and forced Arkansas’ final timeout of the set.
After the timeout the Tigers gave up three in a row, allowing Arkansas to make the score 21-13.
Freshman Lainee Pyles gained the final point for the Tigers in set two on a tremendous block, and the Tigers won 25-14.
In set two alone, Pyles tallied a season-high five aces and a solo block to give the Tigers six points overall.
The Tigers were eying their first sweep since they played Mississippi State on Oct. 4.
The Tigers maintained the momentum in the third set with a 15-9 lead as the media timeout allowed Arkansas a chance to regroup.
After the timeout, the Tigers led 19-14 and were fighting hard against an Arkansas team that had found life late in the set. LSU called a timeout of its own so that Johnson could guide her Tigers to the three set-match victory.
At match point for the Tigers, Robinson sealed the deal for the Tigers with a huge kill, as seniors Bailey Ortega, Madison Martin, Rumur Rouille, and Jade Demps walked off the floor of the PMAC as players for the final time.
“I thought it was amazing,” Johnson said in regard to one of the Tigers most dominating wins of the season.
Johnson’s explanation? Senior day.
“When it’s senior day, a lot of things step up, and I felt like this whole team stepped up for our seniors, big time,” said Johnson following the senior day celebration.
Something that has been touted by players, assistants and Johnson is that this team loves each other, and the Tigers were certainly not going to let their seniors away from the PMAC without a win to show for it.
The Tigers head off to their final two games of the season, playing at Texas A&M and at Alabama. LSU beat both teams at home earlier in the year, but the Tigers’ final chance to end the year on a high note will not come with an easy path.
The Tigers enter both games as senior night opponents, and having already lost to LSU, neither the Aggies or the Tide are going to roll over for LSU. The Tigers are laser focused on staying true to themselves, staying confident and wearing the purple and gold with pride.