The volleyball team got back to winning this weekend as it tookthree of the four matches from the University of Kentucky at homein front of the ninth-largest crowd to watch a volleyball game inLSU history.
LSU came out strong in the first two matches with scores of30-22 and 33-31.
After the half, Kentucky adjusted and took a hard fought gamefrom the Tigers, forcing a game four. LSU battled back in thefourth game with a score of 30-27, taking the victory.
The win puts the Tigers at 11-8 on the record and 3-6 inSoutheastern Conference play.
“We were different on the court today,” said coachFran Flory. “A little bit was because of our approach. A newstart is a new start and we’re glad to have a win.”
Flory said another difference with the team today was the injuryof setter Daniela Romero, forcing a change in momentum.Romero’s injury report is not certain, but doctors said thereis a problem in her spinal chord affecting her leg and her play.The misfortune created an opportunity for senior setter Beth Cowleyto step into Romero’s position and lead the team.
“I think it’s a great performance for [Cowley] withRomero going out,” Flory said. “Beth has not set amatch in a long time and we helped her out a little bit, but shemade this match.”
Romero said she does not know how long she will be out, but itcould be season-ending. Cowley will most likely to continue to takethe setter role until Romero’s injury is determined. The teamsaid they benefited from the performance as well by realizingexactly where they stand.
“I think we are finally realizing it’s now ornever,” Cowley said. “We only have a few games left andwe still have a lot to prove. It’s very exciting andpromising that we came in here with the amount of injuries and pullout a win — it’s a big confidence booster.”
The team does not have the amount of rest between matches asusual. They return to the court against Arkansas on Tuesday at 7p.m. in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. After the win yesterday,the team said they are concentrating on maintaining theirmomentum.
“We have to come into practice and practice hard and beprepared for anything,” Cowley said. “This is a big winfor us, and we have to stay mentally prepared.”
The focus on last week’s practice was coming together as ateam and having fun. Along with maintaining a mental focus, theteam said they hope to continue this attitude throughout thisweek’s games.
“We need to work together as a team and we will befine,” said sophomore middle blocker/right side hitter MelodyClark. “The mental errors are diminishing and that helped uswin [against Kentucky]. We just have to come out with an attitudethat we have to win and nothing less than that.”
The game against Kentucky opened up a four straight SECmatches.
They will face Arkansas on Tuesday for the first time thisseason. The Tigers will end the week hosting weekend matchupsagainst Auburn on Friday and Alabama on Sunday.
The Tigers defeated Auburn earlier this season, but fell toAlabama in a three-game sweep on the road.