It’s been a long season for the LSU volleyball team, and there still are seven games left.
Compounded by injuries to experienced players and freshmen stepping in, LSU’s record is suffering after frequently being dragged into long, five-set matches.
The Tigers’ last home matchup against Auburn University not only marked their seventh five-set game but their second-longest game of the season, lasting two hours and 41 minutes.
“Sometimes it’s because we played our way in and sometimes because we played our way out of opportunities,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “The key is having a fitness level that allows us to be there and get off to a great start.”
LSU won three of its seven five-set games this season, and all of the wins came after electric starts to the final set.
Senior middle blocker Emily Ehrle said the Tigers focus on getting to five points before the opposing team, then doing the same with 10 and 15 points. She said the losses were the result of failing to win those mini battles.
Flory said the 3-4 record in five-set games is not a result of a lack of motivation but a side effect of having to rely on young players.
“This senior group has probably played more five-set matches than any other senior group we’ve had in the history of the program,” Flory said. “Their comfort level in the fifth set is probably higher than average, but it’s the young kids that aren’t sure because they haven’t been in those situations enough.”
Having watched LSU play in 28 fifth sets since her first year as a Tiger in 2013, Ehrle said the team thrives of the intense atmosphere a fifth set brings to the court.
“It keeps you on your toes,” Ehrle said. “It’s a great atmosphere because you want to win and do everything you can to get there. The fifth set is the end-all be-all.”
However, long games also have a positive effect on the team. Along with young players gaining valuable experience, new records are being set.
Senior defensive specialist Haley Smith took advantage of the almost three-hour long Auburn game and finished with 39 digs, marking a new career-high for the senior. It is also the second-most digs in a five-set match at LSU and third-most in a single match in program history.