KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- The LSU volleyball team dropped a 15-8, 15-7, 15-7, decision to the fourth-ranked Florida Gators in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.
“We gave a valiant effort this afternoon,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “We did some things that would have worked but our execution level was low. I am proud of the effort we gave in a tough situation, being the eight-seed and facing one of the top teams in the nation.”
The top-seeded Gators, who won their ninth consecutive conference championship this season, were unstoppable in ending the eighth-seeded Tigers season. However, LSU fought from beginning to end.
“We didn’t back down from them. We have fought to get to a point where we think we can play with anyone and today we were at that point. Florida is just a better team than we are right now,” said Flory.
LSU ends the season 17-15, the teams first winning record since 1995. Florida improves to 26-2 and advances to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament as it looks to win its second tournament championship in a row.
“It was a good way to end. If we have to lose our last game, we want to lose it to the best team in the conference,” said Flory. “Florida is the best team in our conference and might be the best in the nation.”
The Tigers were able to hold Florida’s powerful offense in check for most of the match, but the Gator defense was dominant in leading the team to victory. Florida owned a .245 to .035 hitting advantage and outblocked LSU 12 to 6.
Florida was led by Heather Wright who had eight kills en route to a .571 attack percentage. She also led both teams with eight blocks. Player of the year Jenny Manz was shut down by the Tiger defense as she was able to muster only a .042 hitting percentage and seven kills. Both were her second-lowest totals in a conference match this season.
“We did a good job of slowing them down on offense. For us to shut down the best player in the league is significant for us,” said Flory.
Game one set the tone for Florida who sprinted to a 14-3 lead and outlasted a late LSU rally for the game victory. In the game the Gators more than doubled the Tigers in kills, 19-9 despite only nine more attacks. Jenny Whitehead paced Florida with five kills and a .444 attack percentage.
LSU recorded five team blocks in the game in holding the conferences top offense only a .256 hitting percentage. Sophomore Meagan Davis’ three led the team.
Down a game, LSU looked to even the match as it jumped out to a 6-2 lead. From that point on it was all Florida as the Gators extended their lead to two games.
Florida’s defense proved to be the difference in the game as the Gators held LSU to a -.022 hitting percentage behind the strength of six blocks and 18 digs. LSU played well in holding Florida to only a.194 hitting percentage, but the Tiger offense could not capitalize.
With the momentum on their side, the Gators cruised to a game three victory in advancing to the semifinals of the tournament.