After a rough start to its conference schedule, the LSU volleyball team is eager to show fans what it can do this weekend.

LSU will look to bounce back after falling to Alabama and South Carolina in its Southeastern Conference opening weekend, when it takes on Kentucky and Missouri in its first home games of the season.

“We’re just trying to finally make that final step where we’re not losing, we’re winning every game,” said freshman middle blocker Khourtni Fears. “I can’t say I’m satisfied with our play so far, but I feel that in weeks to come, the team and I will be satisfied.”

LSU’s opponents are coming in with different mindsets this weekend.

The Wildcats will also be looking for their first conference win, as they lost their last three matches, dropping out of the top 25 for the first time this season.

On the contrary, Missouri has looked strong, taking down then-No. 17 Tennessee in its SEC debut, and later Ole Miss to bring its conference record to 2-0.

But LSU knows better than to take any team lightly at this point. Rather than focusing on their opponents, the Tigers have used practice this week to better themselves.

“It doesn’t really matter who is across the net from us,” said junior middle blocker Desiree Elliott. “We just want to stay our team.”

LSU coach Fran Flory reinforced this sentiment at practice Tuesday.

“Our preparation this week has to be taking care of our side and becoming more efficient,” Flory said. “I thought we made some good in the last couple weeks, but we haven’t established that consistent fluidity that we need to have in our offense.”

Flory told Tiger TV in an interview Wednesday that the Tigers will be without senior libero Meghan Mannari this weekend due to a foot injury suffered during pregame warmups last weekend.

Mannari has thrived since moving to the libero position and is the team leader in digs and service aces.

She was replaced by senior defensive specialist Sam Delahoussaye who stepped up, posting double-figure digs in back-to-back matches.

“With Meghan Mannari injured, we want to get our rotations down,” Elliott said. “Sam Delahoussaye has done an amazing job in the back row as libero stepping in.”

Despite any problems coming into this weekend, the Tigers are excited to be back home.

“We’re so excited,” Elliott said. “After a month of traveling, I can finally unpack my suitcase, put my stuff away and enjoy a weekend at home.”