Baton Rouge, La. – Taylor Bannister became just the second player in program history to reach 1,600 career kills during LSU Volleyball’s (9-11) 3-1 win over Georgia (5-13) on Saturday night in the PMAC.
LSU wrapped up its home schedule with four straight wins in the PMAC over the past two weeks. The Tigers will travel to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers on March 24 and 25. Both matches will start at 2 p.m. CT.
LSU won a close first set, 25-19. Georgia won the second set, 25-14. The Tigers dominated the third set, winning 25-13 and won a tightly contested fourth set, 30-28 to close out the match.
“I keep saying this team is getting better and finally the proof is being shown,” said head coach Fran Flory. “It’s fun to see them win and see the training and their fight pay off.”
Taylor Bannister led the Tigers with 18 kills. With her performance in the match, Bannister moved into second on LSU’s all-time career kills list with 1,605 total kills. She passed both Leah Bennett (1,590) and Wendy Stammer (1,592) to move into the No. 2 position.
“We have said from the beginning that Taylor is special,” said Flory. “For her to have the night she had last night, which is National Player of the Week type numbers, and then to come back tonight and have 18 kills in four sets is just a breakout weekend. She is still growing and getting better and the best is yet to come.”
Paige Flickinger had 14 kills and Hannah Brister finished with 13 to round out the Tigers for double-digit kills.
Karli Rose paced the match with 46 assists. She also added five digs for the night.
Raigen Cianciulli led the team with 27 digs. Flickinger was second with 21 and Bannister finished with nine.
LSU was extremely active on the defensive side, finishing with 79 digs for the match.
How it Happened
Set 1
- Georgia took an early 2-1 lead over LSU to start the match.
- A kill by Paige Flickinger tied the teams at five.
- The Tigers went on a 4-0 scoring run to take the lead. The bulldogs called a timeout, trailing 9-6.
- The teams traded points, but LSU was still able to hang onto its lead. The Tigers led 16-10 as Georgia called another timeout.
- LSU continued to build its lead as the set progressed. The Tigers were on top, 20-15 after a kill by Anita Anwusi.
- A kill by Whitney Foreman sealed the victory for LSU as they won the first set, 25-19.
Set 2
- The Bulldogs had an early 4-2 lead over the Tigers.
- LSU tied the score at four after a kill by Taylor Bannister.
- Georgia took an 12-7 lead over the Tigers as they were forced to call a timeout.
- The Bulldogs continued to be ahead as the set went on. They led LSU 17-12.
- The Tigers couldn’t rally as Georgia won the set, 25-14.
Set 3
- The Tigers started hot early as they led 4-1.
- A 3-0 scoring run by LSU had the Tigers leading Georgia 11-6 as the Bulldogs called a timeout.
- The Bulldogs called another timeout as they trailed the Tigers, 15-7.
- LSU led 19-9 after a kill by Bannister.
- The Tigers won the third set with ease, 25-13.
Set 4
- A service ace by Hannah Brister put LSU up 4-0 over the Bulldogs to start the set.
- Georgia rallied back and tied the score at six.
- The Bulldogs took the lead, but after a kill by Allee Morris, LSU tied the score at nine.
- A kill by Bannister gave the Tigers a narrow 15-14 lead.
- Georgia called a timeout as it trailed the Tigers, 19-16.
- The Bulldogs pulled to within one as LSU called a timeout, leading 20-19.
- Georgia called a timeout, down 24-23 as the Tigers looked to close the set.
- The Tigers called a timeout as the Bulldogs were able to take a 26-25 lead.
- It took a few extra points, but LSU won the fourth set, 30-28.