DALLAS — For the third consecutive match, the LSU volleyball team defeated an opponent that posted 20-plus wins last season, dropping SMU, 30-27, 30-22, 30-32, 30-17, on Saturday night at Moody Coliseum.
With the win the Tigers moved to 8-1 on the year, the best start since 1991, and went undefeated at 3-0 in the Hurricane Ivan Classic. The loss dropped SMU to 5-4 on the year and 1-2 in tournament play.
“This was a great tournament for us,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “We had some adversity getting here, but in the end I think it was all worth it because we came out a better team. I thought this was a great tune up for us as we head into SEC play next weekend and we need to keep this momentum going.”
Junior Ivana Kuzmic led the Tigers with 18 kills, nine blocks and a .552 hitting percentage. Senior Regan hood posted 17 kills, nine blocks and hit at a .406 clip for LSU, as the Tigers posted their most team blocks this season with 18.
Two Tigers posted double-doubles, led by Jelena Mijatovic with 14 kills and a team-best 18 digs, while Kassi Mikulik recorded 13 kills and 14 digs, along with four blocks. For the third consecutive match, Rachel Pittman posted double-figure dig totals, recording 17 on the day.
After falling behind, 6-1, the Tigers fought back to tie the game at 10 all. LSU took its first lead at 13-12, but it was short lived as SMU tied the game at 13. After five more ties, the Tigers took the lead for good at 21-20. LSU closed out the game, 30-27, on a kill by Kuzmic.
Like the first game, the Tigers fell behind in the second game, trailing by three early, 8-5. LSU came back with three straight to tie it at eight all. Neither team could take more than a three-point advantage until LSU broke through with a 5-1 run that broke a 16 all tie. On a pair of kills by Clark and Regan Hood, the Tigers the two-game advantage, 30-22.
Trailing most of game three, LSU battled back to tie it at 27 all. The Tigers fought off game point, 29-28, and then earned a game point of their own, but a kill by SMU tied it up again. SMU then blocked back a Mijatovic offering and recorded a kill to take the third game, 32-30.
LSU took command early in the fourth game, storming out to the 10-5 lead. SMU got within three points, before the Tigers pulled ahead, 22-13. A pair of kills by Mikulik put the game away easily as LSU won the match, 30-17.
The Tigers return home to open Southeastern Conference play next weekend. LSU will host Georgia on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on No. 4 Florida on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Maravich Center.