The LSU volleyball team will attempt a sweep of its longest conference road stretch of the season and earn head coach Fran Flory’s record-breaking 309th win as a Tiger on Wednesday when it travels to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on Ole Miss in the Gillom Sports Complex.
The contest marks the Tigers’ (10-7, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) fourth consecutive road game, and a win would extend their winning streak to six games and assist their climb up the SEC ladder, where they currently sit at fourth.
After falling in its first three conference matches of the season, LSU lately has hit its stride, winning five in a row, capped off by a come-from- behind upset win against then-No. 12 Kentucky.
“It’s been amazing to watch this team grow over the past couple of weeks, and their play has shown what they are capable of when they all buy into the process and believe in each other,” Flory said in a news release. “They had a vision of what they wanted to accomplish when the season started and now are starting to see the benefits when they play with great passion and purpose.”
To continue their success, the Tigers must overcome an Ole Miss (18-3, 4-3 SEC) squad that opened its season, with 14 consecutive wins. The Rebels struggled at the start of their conference schedule with three losses in their first four SEC games but they have since rallied to win their last three contests.
LSU must find a way to slow down the Rebels’ high-powered offense, which is one of four SEC teams to tally more than 1,000 kills this season and, with a .271 hitting clip, currently sits at No. 2 in the conference.
Ole Miss also has been impressive on defense, holding its opponents to a .182 attacking percentage.
“This is one of the most talented and athletic Ole Miss teams I think I’ve ever seen,” Flory said. “This is another great volleyball venue to play in, and we know they are going to bring their best game against us, and their fans are going to be loud. We will have our work cut out for us against another high quality opponent.”
But the Tigers have played their best volleyball of the season during the win streak, averaging 14.26 kills per set and 13.26 assists per game while attacking at a .285 clip.
No single player’s performance has led to LSU’s recent success. At least six Tigers have averaged more than two kills per set in each of the five wins.
LSU sophomore middle blocker Briana Holman has acted as a one-athlete wrecking crew all season, currently leading the SEC with 1.63 blocks per set and holding a spot in the top 5 of the conference in kills, points and hitting percentage.
LSU’s win against Kentucky gave Flory her 308th victory as a Tiger — tying former coach Scott Luster for most wins with the program.
Flory, now more than halfway through her 17th season with LSU, said she’s honored to carry on the winning tradition started by Luster but ultimately can’t take credit for the success.
“It’s never been about me,” Flory said. “I’ve always said that it’s been about the players who come and wear the colors proudly and give their all for this University. They are the ones who’ve helped me reach this point.”
You can reach Tyler Nunez on Twitter @Nunez_TDR.