ATLANTA — Overcoming the trauma caused by the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in southern Louisiana earlier this week, the LSU volleyball team overcame adversity to triumph over Georgia State, 30-21, 28-30, 30-18, 30-15, on Friday evening in the first day of competition in the Georgia State Invitational at the Hanner Fieldhouse.
With the win, the Tigers remain undefeated and improved on 4-0 on the season. The loss dropped the Lady Panthers to 0-3 on the year. LSU will take on Jacksonville State (1-1), which was a 3-0 winner over Wright State (0-3) on Friday, at noon (CT) before taking on WSU at 4 p.m. (CT).
“I am really proud of our effort today with all that is going on,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “We have become very absorbed and very involved with the hurricane situation at home and to come in here, change gears and succeed against a very feisty Georgia State team is great for us.”
The Tigers dominated the match statistically, out killing Georgia State, 65-35, and out blocking the Lady Panthers, 12.0-4.0. In addition, LSU posted a .245 hitting percentage compared to an .074 mark for Georgia State.
Tiger junior Lauren Leaumont led the match with 19 kills and a .342 attacking percentage, while senior Jelena Mijatovic posted 16 kills, 13 digs, three service aces and five blocks. Freshman Marina Skender posted her first double-figure kill match with 10 kills, while also recorded a match-best four service aces.
Junior Melody Clark led the match with six blocks, followed by Mijatovic and senior Ivana Kuzmic with five each. Junior Kassi Mikulik led the team with 17 digs.
“We once again had outstanding performance out of numerous individuals,” said Flory. “Tomorrow’s match will be tell-tale for us. We need to continue to go out and take care of business, but it will be a real challenge.”
With LSU leading 14-10 in the first game, the Tigers made a six-point run to extend their lead to 10 points. Georgia State got within five points, 22-17, but got no closer as LSU closed out the game with an 8-4 run.
In the second game, the Tigers took a four-point lead midway through the match, 23-18, but could not hold on as the Lady Panthers rallied back with an eight-point run to take the lead, 28-24. LSU fought off three game points before Georgia Southern tied the match, 30-28.
The Tigers made a statement early in the third game with a nine-point run to open up an early 10-2 lead. The Lady Panthers got back to within four points, 17-13, but LSU stormed back with back-to-back runs of five points and six points respectively to extend their lead to 28-15. The Tigers went on to close out the game, 30-18.
In the fourth game, LSU once again opened up an early lead, 10-4, and extended that lead to 19-10. The Tigers went on to completely dominate the game and take the match, 30-15.
LSU def. Georgia State, 30-21, 28-30, 30-18, 30-15
LSU (4-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Lauren Leaumont 19-1-0; Jelena Mijatovic 16-3-5; Marina Skender 10-4-3; Ivana Kuzmic 9-0-5; Melody Clark 8-0-6; Daniela Romero 3-0-0; Heather Fierce 0-1-1; Michelle Hensgens 0-0-0; Kassi Mikulik 0-1-0; Totals 65-10-12.0. (Assists) – Daniela Romero 28; Heather Fierce 19. (Dig leaders) – Kassi Mikulik 17, Jelena Mijatovic 13, Daniela Romero 7.
Georgia State (0-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Alex Blenche 9-0-0; Michelle Trimble 8-0-3; Robyn van Dam 5-2-1; Marissa Levasseur 4-0-1; Jordan Thomas 2-1-0; Natalie Coley 1-2-0; Brittany Roche 0-0-1; Christen Garcia 0-0-0; Carol Mattos 1-0-0; Danielle Gonzalez 5-0-2; Totals 35-5-4.0. (Assists) – Jordan Thomas 31. (Dig leaders) – Natalie Coley 18, Christen Garcia 12.