The No. 22 LSU volleyball team completed a sweep of their road trip this weekend with a victory Sunday over a Georgia team statistically similar to its own. The Tigers (13-2, 5-1) swept the Bulldogs (13-4, 3-3) in three straight games – a feat no other team has accomplished this season. “This was a great win for us,” said LSU coach Fran Flory in a news release. “We played very well and were very disciplined and I really liked our offensive efficiency. Georgia is a very solid team.” Going into the game, LSU posted averages of 15 kills, two service aces, three blocks and 16 digs per contest compared to Georgia’s 15 kills, two service aces, nearly three blocks and 15 digs a match. LSU managed to beat Georgia in three straight games (30-28, 30-27, 30-22) thanks to strong performances from some of the younger Lady Tigers. Sophomore middle blocker Brittnee Cooper led the Tigers with 16 kills Sunday, breaking the career high of 14 she recorded Friday. The Houston native also posted a hitting percentage of .545. LSU managed to rebound from a .194 team hitting percentage Friday to .328 against Georgia – led by freshman outside hitter Angela Bensend – while holding the Bulldogs to a .200 clip. Sophomore setter Maggie Lonergan led the team with 50 assists – 21 more than Georgia’s assist-leader, setter Mara Martin. LSU jumped into the lead early in the first game, but Georgia kept pace tying the game at 14 and then again at 25. The Tigers went on to win the game 30-28 with a late streak of three straight kills by Cooper. LSU got off to an early lead in the second game 14-7. Georgia eventually closed in on the Tigers, getting as close as a 27-26 Tigers lead, before the Tigers closed out the game 30-27. The Bulldogs took their first lead in the third game before LSU scored 13 of the final 18 points en route to a 30-22 completion to the three-game win. The Tigers 3-1 win at Auburn on Friday allowed LSU to stay perfect on the weekend LSU returns home Friday night to host Alabama in a battle for the lead of the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division. The match will include the first promotion in the Tigers’ month-long “Dig for the Cure” as part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. The first 200 fans will receive a free piggy bank to collect change for the “Dig for the Cure.” The change will be collected at LSU’s Oct. 19 match against Arkansas.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]