FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. The LSU volleyball team dropped a four-game decision, 15-6, 13-15, 15-8, 15-9, to the 21st ranked Arkansas Lady Razorbacks for the second time in four days.
The loss drops LSU to 14-12 on the year including 5-6 in conference play. The Tigers fell to fourth in the Southeastern Conference Western Division behind Arkansas, Auburn and Alabama. The Lady Razorbacks improved to 20-5 and 10-1 in SEC play.
Offensive efficiency was the difference in the match as Arkansas, boasting the third best offense in the league, hit for a .264 percentage while holding LSU to only .181. The Lady Razorbacks also outdug and outblocked the Tigers in the match.
Leading LSU on the afternoon was Kelly Thompson who had a double-double for the sixth consecutive conference match with 17 kills and 11 digs and three blocks.
Arkansas opened the match in dominating fashion, winning 13 of the final 16 points of game one. The Lady Razorbacks outhit and outdug LSU in the game.
Sophomore Ashanti Taylor paced the Arkansas offense with five kills in only six attempts. LSU was led by Meghan Bedford who had three kills with no errors in five attempts.
Arkansas held a late 12-9 lead in game two and looked to be on its way to a two-game lead. However the never-say-die Tigers rallied to tie it at 12-12 and continued the momentum into a 15-13 victory to knot the match at one game a piece.
The Tigers overcame five Lady Razorback blocks to hit .210 for the game. Jennifer Hampton sparked LSU with four kills along with 10 digs in the game. Freshman setter Katie Kubena had 18 assists in the game.
Sandy Martin’s five kills in seven attempts led Arkansas. Martin had two blocks and four digs as well.
The opening moments of game three mirrored the final ones of game one as the homestanding Lady Razorbacks sprinted out to a 6-0 lead. After that point, LSU was unable to close to within three points and Arkansas had a two games to one advantage.
Arkansas’ .327 attack percentage in the game was the telling stat as LSU hit only .222. All-SEC performer Yarleen Santiago led the way with eight kills en route to a .583 attack percentage in the game. LSU was led by Meagan Davis’ four kills and two blocks.
In game four, the Lady Razorbacks gained an early lead and held off the Tigers the rest of the way in clinching the match. LSU fought off one match point before conceding to Arkansas.
The Tigers return home for two conference matches next weekend. Ole Miss faces LSU on Friday at 7 p.m. with Mississippi State on Sunday at 2 p.m.