NEW ORLEANS — The LSU volleyball team won its second-consecutive match Wednesday night with a 15-4, 1-15, 15-5, 15-4 win over Tulane.
The win improves LSU to 12-10 on the year. Tulane falls to 9-11.
“This is a good win for us because Tulane is such a tough place to play,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “The rivalry is still big between us and this win sends them a message that we are the best team in this state.”
The Tigers opened the match on fire, hitting .556 in game one and recording seven blocks, to take a quick one game lead. LSU held the Tulane offense to a -.091 attack percentage for the game.
“We did a good job blocking in game one,” said Flory. “We never really let them get into an offensive rhythm which was a key for us throughout the match.”
In game two, each team did a one-eighty as Tulane hit for a .409 attack percentage while LSU was at minus-.143.
“We just self destructed in game two. They got going and there was nothing we could do.” With the match tied at one game a piece, LSU took over. The Tigers returned to the form that won them game one and put away the Green Wave.
“I thought we played at a decent level in games three and four,” said Flory. “We played well offensively and kept them back on defense.”
LSU was led by senior Kelly Thompson and freshman Jennifer Hampton. Thompson had 10 kills en route to a .348 attack percentage. She has killed at least 10 balls in her last 16 matches. She also had a season high nine blocks, including three solos.
“Kelly came through for us tonight. Tulane was unable to match up with her and she scored at will whenever we got her the ball. She showed the ability to dominate tonight,” said Flory.
Hampton led the team in kills for the third match in a row with 15. She also had a team-high nine digs along with Meg Norwood.
LSU goes on the road this weekend for two Southeastern Conference matches. The Tigers travel to Starkville, Miss. this Friday night for a 7 p.m. match against Mississippi State. LSU will finish the weekend with an afternoon match in Oxford, Miss., against Ole Miss.