The LSU volleyball team missed the knockout punch as it fell to the University of Auburn in five sets Sunday night in Auburn Arena.
Coming off a win from Friday’s matchup against Georgia, the LSU Tigers (6-9) looked for a strong finish to the weekend of conference play. 
Sophomore outside hitter Gina Tillis carried momentum from her record performance and led the team with 20 kills and 11 digs, six of which came in the first set.
Senior defensive specialist Haley Smith also contributed in a major way with a career-high 30 digs.
Auburn (10-5) got off to a rough start, finishing the first set hitting .026 including 10 errors and three LSU blocks. The game remained close, but after several lead changes, LSU won the first set 25-22.
The second set was a different story. This time, LSU started slow but a 5-0 run tied the game at eight.
Timeouts were no help when Auburn responded with a 9-1 run to go up 23-13 and finally winning the second set 25-16.
LSU’s offensive struggle continued into the third set as Auburn forced a 5-1 lead to start. LSU battled to tie it up and take a 20-19 lead but couldn’t follow through and lost the third, 22-25.
The fourth set marked LSU’s best performance of the game, hitting .351 and 16 kills. 
The first deciding set of the match motivated LSU to a great start, leading Auburn 8-2 and forcing a timeout.
LSU held on to its to lead throughout the set and finally won 25-17, forcing the deciding fifth set.
Coming off its low point of the match, Auburn set the tone early in the fifth, forcing the first LSU timeout after a 6-2 lead. But the LSU offense kept struggling as Auburn dominated and won the set 15-6.
LSU now has 2-2 record in the Southeastern Conference and faces its next conference matchup at home in the PMAC on Wednesday night.