LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The LSU volleyball team got back on the winning track and grinded out a 3-1 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock [25-17, 25-22, 24-26, 25-13] Friday to open the Hotel Encanto Classic at the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State.
Desiree Elliott connected for a match-high 14 kills but was held to a season-low .147 hitting percentage. She also added four blocks for the Tigers.
Helen Boyle nearly amassed her second consecutive double-double and turned in another complete effort. The Eureka, Mo., native smacked 11 kills to go along with nine digs and four blocks.
For the match, LSU (4-1) garnered a .176 hitting percentage and notched a season-high 23 attack miscues. However, the Tiger defense registered a season-best 12 blocks and limited UALR (2-3) to a paltry .050 hitting clip aided by 30 Trojan attack errors.
Making her first career start at setter, Shelby Pursley handed out a career-high 36 assists and added 10 digs. It was Pursley’s first career double-double.
“I didn’t think we played very well, and we weren’t mentally prepared for the match,” head coach Fran Flory said. “Each match we learn a little more about this team, and our team learns a little more about itself not only individually but collectively as a group. It was great that we were able to win, and I was proud that we were able to block 12 balls after emphasizing that phase of the game in practice during the week. However, overall it was not the type of road performance we needed.”
Michele Williams continued her strong play at the net and posted seven blocks for the second straight match. She also chipped in seven kills and ripped a pair of aces.
Meghan Mannari, reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week, sprawled out for 10 digs to push her double digit streak to four straight matches.
“Michele did a wonderful job of finding different ways other than offensively to effect play,” Flory said. “She was a positive contributor with her blocking and did an excellent job of serving in the fourth set. We need our seniors to step out, gain control and lead in these types of situations.”
Ahead 12-11 during the first set, LSU reeled off 10 of the next 13 to take control of the frame and built a 22-14 advantage. The Tigers took advantage of a quartet of UALR hitting errors, while Elliott slapped two kills and a block. Williams put the finishing touches on a 25-17 win with a kill and a solo stuff.
After 12 ties and six lead changes, LSU used a strong finishing kick to secure set two. At 21-21, a Williams kills coupled with a Mannari ace vaulted the Tigers to a 23-21 edge. A UALR attack and service error allowed the Tigers to pull out a 25-22 triumph to carry a two-set advantage into the locker room.
LSU charged back from a 17-13 hole in the third set to catch UALR at 22 apiece. The Trojans regrouped with the score even at 24 and took back-to-back points to escape with a 26-24 victory. Edina Begic popped five of her team-best 14 kills during the frame to fuel UALR.
The Tigers charged back and saved their performance of the match for set four. LSU connected for a .280 team hitting percentage and Williams sprinkled in three aces to claim a dominant 25-13 victory.
“Getting Shelby some game reps, and having her set is only going to be a positive for us,” Flory said. “It does nothing but make this team better by having other people play in different positions. We need to get a little better all around, and we’re hoping to take a step in that direction tonight.”
LSU continues the Hotel Encanto Classic Friday with a 6 p.m. match-up with Grambling State. Live stats are offered through the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net. In-match updates also are available via the program’s social media outlets at http://twitter.com/lsuvolleyball or LSU Volleyball on Facebook.