LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory knew heading into Friday night’s first-round NCAA tournament match against Tulane that her team would have to control the tempo of the match.If Tulane would be able to pace the match, it would turn into a true volleyball match. But if the Tigers could control the tempo, it would become a physical match, more suited to LSU’s style.Well the Tigers paced every facet of the match, easily sweeping by the Green Wave for the second time at home this season, 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-15).”Overall, LSU just outplayed us at every level and skill,” said Tulane coach Sinisa Momic. “We couldn’t follow our game plan because we couldn’t technically perform skills to some basic level. We weren’t even to the point where we could challenge them.”Flory said it was a great all-around effort from her team, noting that six players had at least five kills.”We executed the game plan exactly as we practiced and asked them to do,” Flory said. “Once again, the seniors did a tremendous job of leading and maintaining poise. Tulane is a very good team, and we shut them down.”LSU’s offense hit a .351 clip and recorded an assist on 44 of 45 kills, paced by senior setter Sam Dabbs’ 36 assists.LSU junior outside hitter Angela Bensend once again proved her postseason prowess, knocking home nine kills for the Tigers, the third time in her postseason career she has recorded at least nine kills.”Benny brings it when the chips are down,” Flory said. “There is no doubt she is somebody we can count on, since her freshman year, in big matches to take big swings.”The Tigers’ defense held Tulane to a .038 hitting percentage while recording 12 team blocks.”Our defensive effort wasn’t all that great [in a 3-0 loss to] Rice last weekend,” said LSU senior outside hitter Lauren DeGirolamo. “We got back in the gym and worked on that this week … When you are blocking well it’s easier to play backcourt defense.”The Tigers move on to face Texas A&M in the second round, as the Aggies defeated Arizona, 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23).”A&M played great defense today,” Flory said. “They are going to come at us fast and heavy and not back down. They are a quality team, and they showed it today.”
 
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