AUSTIN, Texas — The LSU volleyball team fell to the University of Texas, 30-22, 30-24, 30-21, on Friday night in their first match of the Texas Invitational in Gregory Gym.
The Tigers first loss of the season drops them to 3-1 on the year, while the Longhorns, which are receiving votes in the current poll, remain undefeated at 5-0. LSU return to action on Saturday against Liberty at 10 a.m. and Louisiana Tech at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Techsters (3-3) were 3-0 winners over the Flames (0-4) on Friday.
“I thought Texas did a tremendous job at taking us out of our game with their serving,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “They created havoc on our side. I am disappointed that we did not accept this challenge, but I think we will get better. This was a bit opportunity lost, but we have to rebound because we have two big matches tomorrow.”
Ivana Kuzmic led the Tigers with 11 kills and a match-best six blocks, while hitting at a .476 clip. Regan Hood added nine kills for LSU and Melody Clark had four blocks. Daniela Romero led the team with six digs and 23 assists.
Texas was led by Mira Topic with 17 kills and Bethany Howden with 11. Michelle Moriarty led the match with 22 digs, followed by Jenny Andrew with 12.
“I thought Ivana and Regan both did a very nice job tonight,” said Flory. “Unfortunately, Texas took that part of our game away from us with our serve and when that happens it is not very effective.”
In the first game, the Tigers jumped out to a 5-2 lead before Texas responded with a 7-0 run that put the Longhorns ahead 9-5. The Tigers battled back to within two points, 14-12 but could get no closer as Texas went on to take the game, 30-22.
In the second game, the lead went back and forth with neither team able to gain more than a two-point advantage until Texas jumped out to the four-point lead, 20-16. UT extended the lead to seven points, 23-17 before the Tigers rallied back to cut it to four, 28-24, forcing the Longhorns to take a timeout. Texas came out of the timeout and scored back-to-back points on an LSU service error and a kill to take the game, 30-24.
The Longhorns took control early in the third game and never let the lead go. Texas led by as many as 14, 27-13. Kuzmic then served out six straight points, including an ace, to cut the Longhorn lead to eight. The Longhorns scored two of the final three points to take the game and the match, 30-21.