AUBURN, Ala. – The LSU volleyball team (14-4, 5-2 SEC) went on the road and swept Auburn (11-5, 4-3) in straight sets on Friday night in Auburn Arena, LSU’s third straight win
The Tigers claimed the victory by scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 26-24. Gina Tillis and Jacqui Armer led the team with eight kills apiece. Freshman Taylor Bannister finished the match with seven kills. Tillis also added 10 digs.
Fran’s Final Thoughts
“This was not the cleanest match we have played but it may be the grittiest match we have played. I am super proud of our effort. One of our goals was to out-fight them and the statistics that determines that is digs. For us to out-dig an Auburn team is pretty substantial. Offensively, we weren’t as clean and didn’t kill as many balls as we would have liked too. Our defense carried us. Gina Tillis was just outstanding for us tonight. She made every play when we had to have it. And also Jacqui Armer continues to be a stabilizer for us in the middle.”
Opening Set
LSU fell behind early 5-1 but worked its way back to tie the set up 7-7. Auburn went on an 8-3 run to lead LSU 15-11 into the media timeout. LSU had a 3-0 run to bring them within one, 18-17 but Auburn pushed to a 20-17 lead, forcing LSU to timeout. LSU came within two, 23-21, after a Gina Tillis kill and the Tigers put together four straight points, including a block by Toni Rodriguez to win the first set 25-23.
Set Two
LSU got out to a strong start, going on a 4-0 run to take a 6-3 lead over Auburn. The two teams went point-for-point in the middle of the set before LSU earned five-straight points to take a 20-15 advantage and force Auburn to a timeout. Auburn worked its way back to tie the set up 22-22 and take a 23-22 lead. LSU scored three straight points to take a 2-0 lead over Auburn.
Set Three
LSU had a 10-7 lead but Auburn went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-10 lead. LSU tried to work its way back, tying the set up 13-13, but Auburn went on another run to take a 17-13 lead. Auburn went up 19-14 but LSU came back within one, 19-18. The teams traded points and were tied up 24-24 but an attack error by Auburn and Tillis’ eight kill on the match gave LSU the victory.
Notes
>> The victory is the first for the Tigers in Auburn Arena since 2012.
>> Raigen Cianciulli led the team in digs with 16 and the Tigers out-dug Auburn 46-40.
>> Anna Zwiebel finished the match with 33 assists.
>> Jacqui Armer hit a career-high of .615, tallying eight kills on no errors in 13 attacks.
>> Gina Tillis‘ eight kills on the match bring her career total to 983. She is now 17 kills away from reaching 1,000.
Next Up
The Tigers return home on Sunday to take on Alabama at 1 p.m. CT in the Maravich Center. The game will be available on the SEC Nework+ with Lyn Rollins and Garrett Walvoord on the call. The first 1,000 fans to the match will receive Fran Flory bobbleheads.
Volleyball Social Center
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 and @lsuvolleyball on Instagram.