Statistics have not been favorable for LSU’s volleyball team this season.
The Tigers (7-15, 2-9 Southeastern Conference) are not only winless on their home floor, but the team is stuck in a six-match losing streak.
LSU has also seen quite a drop in its offensive and defensive numbers lately.
But the reason for the low number lies partially with the Tigers’ competition.
“I’m not surprised that our hitting percentage has been down,” coach Fran Flory said. “We recently played against one of the best defensive teams in the country in Florida.”
LSU struggled on offense against the Gators on Oct. 30, finishing with a .022 hitting percentage.
LSU’s offense has been on a downward trend since its first match against Florida on Oct. 14.
Halfway through the season, the Tigers had an attack percentage of .210 compared to their opponents’ .216.
Nine games later, LSU is hitting .184 as a team while opponents are hitting .240.
Attack errors have also plagued the team this year, but the Tigers are still well under their 2015 numbers.
LSU has 451 attack errors this year, compared to the 635 firing miscues the team finished with last season.
Flory said the most telling stat is the team’s digs number.
During LSU’s recent five-game losing streak, the Tigers have been out-dug 207-256.
“You will rarely see teams win when they get out-dug,” she said. “Defense is such an important part of the game, and we have done a disappointing job on that front recently.”
With only seven regular-season games left to play, the Tigers will have to pick up the pace if they want to finish ahead of their 2015 number of 1,698 digs. At this point in the season, LSU has 1,167 digs.
“Defense is such an important part of our game,” freshman outside hitter Sydney Mukes said. “If we don’t have a lot of digs, chances are we don’t have a lot of second opportunity chances, and that affects the rhythm of our offense.”
Senior middle blocker Tiara Gibson insists the team’s assist percentage is also conducive to an improved offense.
LSU’s setter, Anna Zwiebel, has a .346 assist percentage — roughly .030 points higher than the rest of the Tigers’ team.
“The setter position is a tough job, but Anna [Zwiebel] has filled the role nicely,” Gibson said. “If our setters keep putting us in a good position, I think it’s only a matter of time before our offense gets back on track.”