LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 18th-ranked LSU volleyball team dropped game one, but then won the final three games to defeat Kentucky, 29-31, 30-19, 30-25, 30-21, on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Coliseum, extending its win streak to eight matches.
With the win, the Tigers improved to 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the SEC for the second straight year. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 8-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play, snapping Kentucky’s six match winning streak. It also marked the first win for LSU in Lexington since 1999.
After losing the first game by two points, LSU came back with blocking and defense and by running a faster offense the rest of the match. The Tigers posted 17 blocks in the final three games, including five in the second and six each in the third and fourth. In addition, LSU held the Wildcat offense, which had recorded a .436 hitting percentage in the first game, to a .186 clip for the match, including a -.049 mark in the second game.
“It was another great win after another great effort,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “Once again our balance was the key to our attack against a team we had to be like that against. Kentucky is one of the best defensive teams we have faced. They stay in the point and in the rally. We were frustrated in game one but we did a great job in games two, three and four, to stay within ourselves.
“It was another great effort by Lauren DeGirolamo. When our offense was in system we were very successful and I think it shows that if we can be balanced, then we can be very good.”
Marina Skender led the Tigers with 17 kills and 17 digs, while Lauren DeGirolamo posted 14 kills and 10 blocks, her second straight double-double. Skender also led the match with four service aces, while Kassi Mikulik posted 14 digs. Daniela Romero Recorded her 3,500th career assists with her 38th assist of the match, finishing with 47 total.
Nicole Britenriker led the match and Kentucky with 23 kills, while no other Wildcat posted in double figures. She also led UK with 16 digs, followed by Jenni Casper and Julie Gagnon with 12 each and Alisa Pierce with 11.
The Tigers started out on a tear in game one, taking the 5-1 lead, but Kentucky came back to tie it up at nine all. The pair then posted 12 ties before the Wildcats held the first game point, 29-28. A service error tied it up for the 13th time. Kentucky then got back-to-back kills to take the game one win, 31-29.
Although LSU hit a respectable .235 for the game, the Wildcats posted a .436 clip with 21 kills and only four errors, compared to 17 kills with five errors for the Tigers. In addition, Kentucky out dug LSU, 22-13, while only one blocks was recorded in the game, that by the Tigers.
LSU came out in the second game and fell behind early, 8-5, but went on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good, 10-8. The Tigers pulled ahead by four, 15-11, and the Wildcats never got closer than three the rest of the way as LSU convincingly took the game and tied the match, 30-19.
With the third game tied at nine all, Kentucky went on a run that saw the Wildcats lead by as many as six, 18-12. The Tigers then started a monumental comeback. LSU scored nine of the next 12 points to tie it up at 21 on a run that saw the Tigers post three blocks and a service ace. LSU then closed out the game on a 9-4 run on a kill by Romero to give the Tigers the 2-1 lead in the match, 30-25.
LSU came out and put the final game away early. The Tigers led 12-8, and Kentucky never got closer than two the rest of the way. With the Tigers leading 20-17, LSU scored 10 of the final 14 points of the match to easily win, 30-21.
The Tigers will return home next weekend to face South Carolina and Georgia for their first home matches since the season opening weekend. The match against the Bulldogs will be televised on Cox Sports Television in Baton Rouge on cable channel 37.
No. 18 LSU def. Kentucky, 29-31, 30-19, 30-25, 30-21
No. 18 LSU (10-1, 2-0 SEC) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Marina Skender 17-4-4; Lauren DeGirolamo 14-0-10; Kyna Washington 9-0-3; Vanessa Freeman 8-0-6; Melody Clark 8-0-6; Daniela Romero 5-0-2; Lauren Leaumont 0-2-0; Elena Martinez 0-0-0; Michelle Hensgens 0-2-0; Kassi Mikulik 0-0-0; Totals 61-8-18.0. (Assists) – Daniela Romero 47. (Dig leaders) – Marina Skender 17, Kassi Mikulik 14.
Kentucky (8-2, 1-1 SEC) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Nicole Britenriker 23-1-1; Ashlee Fisher 9-0-2; Melissa Popp 7-1-0; Sarah Rumely 5-1-2; Julie Gagnon 0-0-0; Alisa Pierce 0-0-0; Heather Hausfeld 4-1-0; Tess Edwards 6-0-0; Jenni Casper 0-0-0; Queen Nzenwa 9-0-1; Totals 63-4-4.0. (Assists) – Sarah Rumely 54. (Dig leaders) – Nicole Britenriker 16, Sarah Rumely 12, Jenni Casper 12, Alisa Pierce 11.