PHOENIX — On the final day of the Arizona Invitational at the GCU Courts, the LSU sand volleyball team (2-3) lost its first match to Grand Canyon 2-3, but came back to defeat New Mexico in the final match 4-1, giving the Tigers their second win of the season.
In the opening match, LSU’s Carly Morris and Emily Ehrle were defeated in straight sets 16-21, 18-21 on court four to give Grand Canyon a 1-0 lead. Riley Young and Cheyenne Wood would rally in a three set battle 15-21, 21-14, 15-12 to tie the match 1-1.
After LSU dropped the first two sets on courts one and two, Cati Leak and Callan Molle responded by winning a tightly contested match 26-24, 21-18 on court three to tally LSU’s second point of the match.
LSU was unable to hold on as Helen Boyle and Laura Whalen fell in the second set 14-21 on court two, and Katie Lindelow and Mandi Orellana lost their final set 18-21 as Grand Canyon handed the Tigers their third loss of the season.
“Grand Canyon was strong at the top, and we battled hard,” said head coach Russell Brock. “We didn’t play particularly poorly, but we couldn’t pull out another win that we needed. Leak and Callan continue to play well. Laura and Helen played hard and tried to get in a rhythm. It was a tough situation (with Lilly Kessler out due to illness). It was a really high-level sand volleyball match that just didn’t go our way.”
LSU would rebound in the final match against New Mexico, as Young and Wood won in straight sets 21-11, 21-14 to take the lead for the Tigers 1-0. Ehrle and Morris would fight valiantly on court four after going down 17-21 in the opening set. An ace from Ehlre put the Tigers up 12-11, but the pair was unable to pull out the final set, falling 18-21.
After New Mexico tied the game, LSU grabbed the lead and never looked back with the pairs of Leak/Molle and Lindelow/Orellana both winning in straight sets. The Tigers capped off their 4-1 win with Boyle and Whalen winning in a three set match 21-19, 16-21, 15-10.
LSU ended the Arizona Invitational with two wins and three losses, but the team believes it can rebound and improve on the results in their upcoming matches.
“Overall, I think we’re a little disappointed with the outcome. We had opportunities to make a better showing and that’s what we have to work on this week: how to reach our potential and get better,” said Coach Brock. “We have to play up to our current potential. I think we can be better than we showed and that is frustrating, but we also improved and got the wins so that’s encouraging.”
LSU will travel to Jacksonville next weekend for the UNF Sand Invitational on March 14-15. The opponents for the Tigers are still to be determined.
For the latest information on LSU Sand Volleyball, fans can follow the Tigers on Twitter and Instagram @LSUsandVB and @RussLSUsand, or on Facebook by liking LSU sand volleyball.
2015 Arizona Invitational
Phoenix, Ariz.- GCU Courts
March 7
LSU vs. Grand Canyon
1. LSU: Katie Lindelow/Mandi Orellana (L) 12-21, 18-21
2. LSU: Helen Boyle/Laura Whalen (L) 12-21, 14-21
3. LSU: Cati Leak/Callan Molle (W) 26-24, 21-18
4. LSU: Carly Morris/ Emily Ehrle (L) 16-21, 18-21
5. LSU: Riley Young/ Cheyenne Wood (W) 15-21, 21-14, 15-12
March 7, 2015
LSU vs. New Mexico
1. LSU: Katie Lindelow/Mandi Orellana (W) 21-16, 21-18
2. LSU: Helen Boyle/Laura Whalen (W) 21-19, 16-21, 15-10
3. LSU: Cati Leak/Callan Molle (W) 21-14, 21-15
4. LSU: Carly Morris/Emily Ehrle (L) 17-21, 18-21
5. LSU: Riley Young/Cheyenne Wood (W) 21-11, 21-14