BATON ROUGE — After sweeping Kentucky on Friday, the LSU volleyball team was unable to continue the momentum against Tennessee, falling 15-3, 15-10, 11-15, 18-16.
The win improves the Lady Vols to 14-3 on the season and 4-1 in Southeastern Conference action. LSU falls to 7-8 on the year with a 2-3 league mark.
The Tigers started the match slowly allowing Tennessee to quickly take game one and jump out to an early lead in game two, which they held on to for a two game lead.
“I think we gave away the match in games one and two,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “It was disappointing that we didn?t come into the match a little more aggressively and a little more assertive with our play.”
Having dug themselves an early hole, the Tigers rallied to take game three and then held game points in the fourth game, but were unable to capitalize and force a fifth stanza.
“This is the first time that we have been down 0-2 and answered and had a chance to win the match since I have been here,” said Flory of her team?s comeback effort. “I am really proud of our fight and our effort. We had every chance to win game four and when you get a chance you have to take advantage of it.”
The play of Ariana Wilson and Kelli Scott proved to be the difference for the Lady Vols as they recorded 30 and 27 kills respectively. Scott added a match-high 27 digs for a double-double-effort.
“Ariana Wilson is a great player and we knew we weren’t really going to shut her out. You just have to giver her hers and try to defend everyone else,” said Flory. “Scott is the person that makes them a better team because we knew Ariana was good. She was the deciding factor in the match. She came up with big swings when they had to have them.”
For LSU, outside hitter Meghan Bedford was the go-to player as she racked up a career-high 24 kills to go along with her nine digs and six blocks. It is the second time in three matches Bedford has posted a career-high number in kills, the last coming at Auburn when she had 23.
“Meghan Bedford’s play was incredible tonight and she is slowly developing into our go-to player. But she hasn’t proven consistent for us and that is something that we need to see if she will be able to carry the load for us,” said Flory.
Outside hitter Jennifer Hampton picked up her team-high seventh double-double of the year with a 14 kill, 19 dig performance. It is her second straight double-doubles and third in her last four matches.
LSU will be back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. when the Tigers host Mississippi State in an SEC West showdown.