COLUMBIA, S.C. – The LSU volleyball team will look to bounce back and even its conference record as the Tigers meet South Carolina Sunday to conclude SEC opening weekend.
First serve is slated for 12:30 p.m. CT inside USC’s Volleyball Competition Facility, and a free live audio webcast will be available at LSUsports.net/live.
LSU (4-6, 0-1 SEC) will be playing its 11th match straight road match to open the 2012 season, while the Gamecocks (12-0, 1-0 SEC) have matched their best start in program history and entered the weekend as one of 10 undefeated teams remaining in the nation.
The Tigers carry a 19-13 series advantage over South Carolina and have won seven consecutive matches going back to the 2008 season. During the two teams last meeting, LSU had to rally from a two-set deficit to earn a 3-2 comeback win over the Gamecocks. Madie Jones ripped a career-high 23 digs, while Meghan Mannari sprawled out for a career-best 39 digs.
Last time out, LSU dropped a 3-0 decision and garnered a .080 hitting percentage at Alabama. The Gamecocks countered with a sweep of Georgia.
South Carolina is fueled by Juliette Thevenin, who ripped 18 kills versus the Bulldogs. Her 4.26 kills per set average is third-best among the SEC leaders. Cara Howley has tacked on 2.58 kills per set on a blistering .409 hitting percentage, also third-best in the SEC. On the back line, Paige Wheeler has picked up 4.26 digs per set to rank sixth in the SEC.
“We have to bounce back, and we’re going to make some adjustments to our lineup,” head coach Fran Flory said. “The key is our ball control has got to improve. I think we’re a very good ball control team. Last night at Alabama was not indicative of the performance that we’ve have in that area of the game. We’re going to reevaluate some different lineup options that we’ve played some, and we just need to find a comfort level. That’s the goal of our practice session today.”
LSU’s offense has picked up a .246 hitting percentage during its four wins compared to a .088 clip during its six setbacks. Desiree Elliott and Jones have powered home 3.42 kills and 3.00 kills per set, respectively, to pace the Tigers. Elliott’s average checks in at 10th place in the SEC.
Defensively, Khourtni Fears has picked up 1.17 blocks per set, fifth-highest in the SEC. Mannari has reeled in 4.18 digs per set to rank seventh on the SEC leaderboard. The Tigers played Friday’s match without Mannari.
Dating back to the 2005 season, LSU has racked up a 163-61 record and is one of 25 programs nationally to secure bids to six of the last seven NCAA Tournaments.
The Tigers have collected seven consecutive SEC Western championships highlighted by the overall league championship in 2009. It’s the second longest streak in SEC history, only behind Florida’s 14-year run on top of the SEC’s Eastern Division from 1995-2008.
For all of the latest news and information on Tiger volleyball, visit www.lsusports.net/volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsuvolleyball along with @lsuvolleyball and @lsucoachfran on Twitter.
Admission to all 2012 home matches at the Maravich Center are free compliments of the Advocate’s “Geaux Free” program.