LSU’s volleyball team had become accustomed to seeing a 3-0 final score at the end of matches recently, having won 17 of their last 18 matches with 12 of those victories coming as sweeps.
Friday night against Rice, LSU was on the other end of the 3-0 final score, as the No. 17 Tigers (24-6) fell hard to the Owls (23-8) on the road, 3-0 (30-32, 20-25, 20-25)
It was the first time since Sept. 20 LSU was swept, and the loss ended the Tigers’ nine-match winning streak.
Rice came into the match on a hot streak of their own, having won their past eight matches entering the contest with LSU, including winning the Conference USA Tournament title.
LSU was unable to cool down Rice’s offense, as the Owls hit .338 as a team, compared to LSU’s .275. It was the first time this season LSU lost when hitting over .250 as a team (previously, LSU was 18-0 in that statistic)
The match was back-and-forth in the first set until LSU pulled away with a 19-14 lead. Rice battled back to tie the match at 20 before the Tigers reeled off a three point swing to take the lead, 23-20. The Owls eventually took a 25-24 lead before taking the set, 32-30.
The Tigers were never able to get anything going in the final two sets, despite a solid defensive effort from sophomore libero Lauren Waclawczyk, who picked up 20 digs in the match.
The rest of the Tigers’ defense suffered, as the team picked up only five blocks.
 
—-Contact Andy Schwehm at [email protected]