The LSU volleyball team circles the .500 drain heading into its home match against South Carolina on Sunday.

A grueling early-season stretch has left the Tigers at 6-10 after a five-set home loss to Georgia on Wednesday.

“We’re not so much physically tired as we’re mentally tired,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “When you’re mentally tired, it’s hard to make your body move in the way that it’s capable of moving.”

This will be the second time this season that LSU faces off against the Gamecocks. The Tigers suffered a five-set loss in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 16.

“I know we want that South Carolina match back,” Flory said. “That was a tough match for us on the road and certainly they’re playing with a lot of confidence and were going to have to be prepared.”

LSU’s hitting has fallen off in recent weeks, hitting .220 in the past three matches, averaging a little more than 23 hitting errors a game in that span.

“We need to watch this [Georgia] game and start refocusing for Sunday,” said senior outside hitter Madie Jones. “We need to work on shot selection and digging those tips. They got us a lot on tips and roll shots. We’ll be ready”

Flory said she has not made a decision on whether injured senior libero Meghan Mannari will return full time after a high ankle sprain earlier in the season moved her to defensive specialist.

Usual defensive specialist Sam Delahoussaye filled in for Mannari during her absence; however, the two switched back to their original positions mid-game against Georgia.