BATON ROUGE, LA-The LSU beach volleyball team wrapped up competition this weekend at the Collegiate Sand Tournament in Cartersville, Georgia. Each pair only played a total of two sets against four opponents, with LSU finishing with a combined set record of 28-20 against Georgia State, North Florida, Spring Hill, Stetson, and UNC Wilmington. The top four pairs played one team twice, while the final two competed against four of the five teams.
“I was really pleased with our play,” said coach Russell Brock. “You never really know going in how you’re going to match up. We’re so focused on our group and our expectations for improvement, you have no idea what everyone looks like. To really get a good evaluation (of our players) this weekend, it was really important, and I’m pleased with how we competed.”
The Lady Tigers were missing a number of starters this weekend due to injuries, as well as players still participating in indoor volleyball, resulting in other team members playing up to fill certain spots.
“A big part of being able to play well as a pair is chemistry and having time to develop it,” explained coach Brock. “We probably put them a little behind the eight ball, but we wanted to focus more on the team than the pair. Our goal was to get data and film to watch and work hard to see if all the things we’ve been working on mechanically and game wise in practice were going to stick when we put it in a competition setting.”
The top two pairs for the Lady Tigers matched up against Georgia State, North Florida and Stetson. Number one pair Helen Boyle and Callan Molle finished with a 2-6 set record, as well as Lilly Kessler and freshman Ashley Allmer at the two.
At the three spot, newcomers Jeni Clark and Addison Hoven claimed five sets against Georgia State, Stetson and Spring Hill. Number four duo Riley Young and Victoria Boraski combined to go 6-2, competing against Georgia State, UNC-Wilmington, and Spring Hill.
At the five, Carly Morris and freshman Megan Davenport went 5-3 against UNF, UNC-Wilmington, Spring Hill, and Georgia State. Emma Hiller and Taylor Wilson turned in a dominating 8-0 performance in the six spot, defeating UNF, Spring Hill, and UNC-Wilmington.
In all, the freshmen helped to combine for 12 set victories in their first collegiate match play.
“They’ve done a really good job making changes,” said coach Brock. “They’re a really successful group, and they’ve bought into the mindset that their success is at a different level right now and that they need to adapt to take their game to the next level.”
The Lady Tigers also received a big boost from their four, five and six spots with the three totaling 19 of the 28 set victories.
“It’s a testament to their hard work and their improvement,” said coach Brock. “It’s also gratifying and exciting that we’re already better. We definitely have more potential, and we’re going to get a lot better at those positions.”
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