AUBURN, Ala. – The LSU volleyball team looks to build off its comeback victory versus Mississippi State and wraps up its run of six consecutive tilts against the SEC Western Division Friday at Auburn. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. from the Student Activities Center.
LSU (15-8, 8-5 SEC) heads into Friday’s contest tied with Arkansas in the SEC Western Division race. The Tigers also have emerged with 20 consecutive victories over Auburn going back to the 2001 season.
During LSU’s 3-1 victory over Auburn earlier this season, Desiree Elliott, Madie Jones and Michele Williams each produced double figure kills. Jones connected for 12 of her team-high 17 kills over the final two stanzas.
Auburn (10-14, 4-10 SEC) is paced by Kelly Fidero, who is coming off an impressive 27-spike performance to claim a 3-2 triumph and season sweep over Alabama. She has climbed up to the No. 6 spot and posted 3.64 kills per set in SEC matches. Sarah Bullock is right behind Fidero with 2.60 kills per set and secured a team-high eight double-doubles on the season.
“Our week of practice was a calm and controlled week of practice with a very different demeanor in the gym from our team,” head coach Fran Flory said. “The bottom line is our team broke through its confidence crisis. They were able to come through with their backs completely against the well at Mississippi State. I’m proud of their effort and proud of the tenacity they showed.”
Last time out at Mississippi State, Williams became the 18th player to eclipse 1,000 career kills. She has powered home 10 or more kills in 13 of her last 17 outings and enters the Auburn match 13 spikes away from passing former All-American Lauren DeGirolamo on the program’s all-time list.
“What a great player and what a great senior Michele has been,” head coach Fran Flory said. “It has been a difficult situation for her to be in her senior year with such a young team. She and Lauren Waclawczyk have shown great leadership on and off the court. We may not reach all the goals that they have in terms of the SEC Championship and all, but certainly they have left their mark.”
Elliott has ripped a team-high 3.60 kills per set to rank fifth among the SEC leaders. Over her last six performances, she has cranked 90 kills at a team-best 3.91 spikes per set average. Her and Williams have produced 71 blocks apiece to share the team lead.
Malorie Pardo has dished out 11.72 assists per set to fuel the SEC and check in 10th nationally. She has distributed 40 or more helpers in five of her last six performances.
LSU’s defense has racked up a league-best 17.06 digs per set in conference action. Meghan Mannari continues to be one of the SEC’s best at the libero position. The Frisco, Texas, native has corralled 4.56 digs per set, second-highest in the SEC.
Helen Boyle and Sam Delahoussaye also have been strong for the Tigers back line. Boyle has recorded double digit scoops during nine of 13 SEC matches, while Delahoussaye has notched six of her eight double digit figure dig efforts against SEC competition.
Last time out, Lauren Waclawczyk surpassed 1,200 digs against Mississippi State. She’s in eighth place on LSU’s all-time list.
“Sam has been very balanced all season,” Flory said. “When given the opportunity, she has come through more times than she has not. She prepared really hard for this season, and I am really proud of her because when she has the opportunity to set up she has excelled in doing so. On Sunday, she was truly a difference maker on the backcourt of us. We would not have won that match without her.”
Live audio and live stats for the Auburn match are offered inside the Geaux Zone at LSUsports.net, while in-match updates also are available via the program’s social media outlets at LSU Volleyball on Facebook or http://twitter.com/lsuvolleyball.