BATON ROUGE — Riding a 10-match winning streak, the 12th-ranked LSU volleyball team ranks among the nations best in several statistical categories after starting Southeastern Conference play undefeated.
The Tigers (12-1, 4-0 SEC) go into this weekend’s matches tied for 10th in the NCAA in winning percentage at 0.923. There are currently six remaining undefeated teams in the nation, including No. 2 Penn State, which handed LSU its only loss of the season. The Tigers are off to their best start in school history, matching the 2005, 1991 and 1978 LSU team’s who also began at 12-1.
In addition, the Tigers are ranked eighth nationally in assists per game (15.67) and ninth in kills per game (16.90). LSU also leads the SEC in both of those statistical categories. The Tigers are also ranked 29th in the NCAA in blocks per game (3.04), which ranks fourth in the SEC.
Through 13 matches this season, LSU has only been out-killed in one match, knocking off Kentucky, 3-1, in Lexington while being out killed, 63-61. For the season, the Tigers are out-killing opponents 16.90 to 11.92 as LSU also leads the SEC in opponents hitting percentage, allowing foes to swing just .136 against them.
While out-killing opponents, LSU has also posted significantly more assists than its opponents, recording 15.67 per game compared to just 11.12 for its opponents, with the Kentucky match being the only one in which an opponent posted more assists than the Tigers.
Individually, freshman Lauren DeGirolamo ranks fourth in the NCAA in blocks per game. The redshirt from Belleville, Ill., is averaging 1.79 blocks per game to rank second in the SEC this season. Twice this year she has posted double figures in blocks and has seven matches with eight or more blocks.
Sophomore Marina Skender ranks fourth nationally in service aces per game. The reigning SEC Freshman of the Year is averaging 0.77 aces per game, which leads the conference this season. She has posted aces in 12 straight matches for a total of 37 this season; almost triple any other Tiger this year.
Senior Daniela Romero ranks ninth this season in assists per game. The setter from Arlington, Texas, leads the SEC with 13.35 assists per game and recorded her 3500th career assist earlier this season. Currently ranked fourth in career assists in LSU history, she needs just 107 assists to move past Katie Kubena into third place and 145 to jump Lauren O’Conner for second place in career assists in school history. In addition, she ranks third in career assists per game in LSU history.
LSU remains at home next weekend to face the Mississippi schools. Fans are encouraged to show their Tiger pride by wearing gold against Ole Miss on Friday, Sept. 29. Admission is FREE for those wearing gold to the game and gold “Walk on the Wild Side” t-shirts will be given away.
On Sunday, Oct. 1 against Mississippi State is “Camp Reunion Safari Day”. It is a chance for anyone who participated in the Fran Flory Tiger volleyball camps to get into the match free by wearing their camp t-shirt. Trading cards will be given away for a postgame autograph session.