The LSU volleyball team will begin the final stretch of its season as it travels to take on Georgia and Missouri, and the general consensus is that each game from here on out is a must-win.
“Every match is vital,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “We still have a chance to get into the postseason. … We can’t be afraid. We have to go play with a kind of reckless abandon; with everything to gain and nothing to lose at this point.”
The Tigers (11-13) will begin a four-game road trip when they travel to Georgia (13-11) looking to increase their winning streak to a season-high three games.
The last time the two squads met, LSU had control early, but it was unable to sustain the lead as the Bulldogs forced a fifth set and dominated the Tigers for the victory.
“Georgia found their lineup against us, and they’ve stuck with that lineup since then,” Flory said.
LSU sophomore middle blocker Marissa Maas is looking forward to getting her first action against Georgia this season.
Maas has sat out for a good portion of this season with a multitude of injuries, including a concussion.
Since her recovery, Maas has excelled and was what Flory called a “huge contribution” against Ole Miss on Sunday.
“[It feels] really good, especially since I was out for so long,” Maas said. “It’s good to come back and know that you still have what you had before.”
LSU will then hit the road again to take on new conference opponent Missouri (17-8).
Missouri has been exceptionally good at home this season, going 9-2 in Columbia, Mo.
The match will be a homecoming for sophomore middle blocker Helen Boyle, who looks forward to playing in front of her family.
“I haven’t seen my family [since August], and they’re all going to be there,” Boyle said. “My grandparents haven’t seen me play volleyball, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”
