The LSU volleyball team grabbed its first Southeastern Conference win Sunday, beating Kentucky 3-2 in a five-game match. The Tigers (6-9) rebounded from a 3-0 loss to South Carolina on Friday. The Wildcats (8-6) are now 0-2 in the SEC while the Tigers improved to 1-2 in conference play.
The Wildcats dominated the first game, jumping out to a 12-3 lead early on. The Tigers pushed back into the game 19-13 with scores by sophomore Megan Heinz, freshman Lauren Leaumont and freshman Kassi Mikulik. A string of Tiger errors jumped the Wildcats’ lead to 24-14. However, the Tigers continued to fight back and pushed within seven after a point by redshirt freshman Markeisha Constant. In the end, Kentucky took the first game 30-24.
Game two was a close match after the Tigers took the first score. Kentucky scored four unanswered points to take the lead before a point by Leaumont tied the game at seven. Another point scored by Leaumont tied the game again at 16 later in the game.
Leaumont had 14 kills and 9 digs in the match.
LSU eventually took the lead again and would keep it this time. Constant scored the Tigers next four points to put LSU up 22-20. The game ended on a point by junior Regan Hood. Hood led the team in digs with 19 in the match.
LSU coach Fran Flory said Constant took on a leading role in Sunday’s match. She had 18 kills for The Tigers and scored 21 points.
“Regan didn’t have as good a night as normal in terms of us being able to go to her in key situations,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “She’s got some personal things going on that she’s going to have to get through in the next couple of weeks. Markeisha stepped up and made the difference. She came through when she had to. She became the go to player. That’s vital. We knew she was capable physically but she just didn’t have the confidence or the experience to do that. But in the last few weeks, she’s gained confidence.”
Pittman said she was proud of Constant’s impovement this week.
“All through last spring I knew that Markeisha was going to improve,” Pittman said. “Actually she was the one I though would have the most impact on this season. So it’s very comforting to know she’s doing the best she can and putting the balls away.”
The Tigers jumped out to a large lead in the start of game three scoring 11 unanswered points including a service ace by junior Rachel Pittman. The Tigers scored all eleven points while Pittman was serving. She usually plays the Libero position, however, which does not allow her to serve.
“We have gone away from playing the Libero,” Flory said. “Because we need Megan Heinz to rest her shoulder and Pittman is going to be more effective serving.”
Pittman said she enjoys getting to serve.
“I think it’s effective and I think it’s working,” Pittman said. “We need to definitly go with what’s working.”
Yet, the Wildcats would not give up as they chipped away at the Tiger lead to get within one point 26-25 and again 29-28 until LSU took the win with a point by Hood.
Kentucky took the early lead in game four with LSU up in the game count 2-1. The Wildcats took advantage of several Tiger errors to go up 13-4 and would eventually lead by as much as 10 points. Kentucky took the win after an error by Mikulik.
LSU took the quick lead in game 5 and would stay ahead until they clenched the win with a Beth Cowley service ace.
“Beth’s a good defender and has a dynamite serve when she’s on,” Flory said. “Beth was on the court more as a defensive specialist than a setter although she made some great plays and stepped in. She was a big difference in terms of serving and creating opportunities.”
The Tigers will continue with SEC play on Friday when they take on Auburn at 7 p.m. in the PMAC.