The LSU volleyball team (6-0) continued its pursuit of a program-best start in Houston this past weekend as it swept Arkansas-Little Rock, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Rice at the Rice Invitational.
The Lady Tigers got a chance to display all of their strengths throughout the three matches as they marched toward breaking the current program record start of 13-0 set by the 2010 team.
Junior setter Malorie Pardo guided the team’s season-best hitting percentage of .385 against Arkansas-Little Rock, which allowed sophomore Cati Leak (13 kills), freshman Briana Holman (10) and junior Madi Mahaffey (10) to accumulate double-digit kills in the match.
“I thought Malorie did an unbelievable job and found the right swing for the right person,” said coach Fran Flory in a news release. “At the same time, you have to credit our first-contact ball control.”
The 3-0 sweep against Arkansas-Little Rock (25-18, 25-12, 25-23) marked LSU’s first win outside of the friendly confines of the PMAC.
The Lady Tigers recorded their second consecutive sweep (25-16, 25-22, 25-20) of the weekend against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on the back of a defensive performance that was just as strong as the offensive outburst in the first match.
LSU collected 13 blocks and held the Islanders to a meager .086 hitting percentage. Sophomore Haley Smith made her first start at libero and recorded 16 digs and two assists.
“I was extremely proud of our blocking effort especially early in the match to set the tone,” Flory said. “Our front row changed the complexion of the match.”
The team saved its most balanced game for its closest matchup against Rice in a four-set victory (26-28, 25-15, 25-19, 31-29) to close out the tournament.
Holman and sophomore Katie Lindelow led the team with their first career double-doubles.
Holman turned in 10 of the team’s 19 blocks as well as 15 kills while Lindelow registered 11 digs to go along with 10 kills, which were vital in leading the Tigers back from an unsuccessful first set.
“Katie decided that she was going to be an offensive factor for us late in the fourth set,” Flory said. “We knew it was going to take her some time for her to find an offensive rhythm, but we’re glad she found it tonight.”
Both Lindelow and Holman took home All-Tournament Team honors.
LSU continues its road trip next weekend in Miami, where it will face off against the Hurricanes in hopes of building on its first undefeated start since the 2010 season.