HOUSTON – The LSU volleyball team (2-2) opened the Flo Hyman Classic in dominant fashion, sweeping Omaha (2-1) for its second straight-set victory of the season Friday afternoon at the Fertitta Center. The Tigers handed the Mavericks their first loss of the year with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-17) win.
LSU was efficient offensively, hitting .316 behind 47 kills and had four aces, while also controlling the net with 9.0 blocks. The Tigers set the tone in a tightly contested opening frame, edging Omaha in extra points, 27-25. LSU then claimed the second set, 25-23, before closing the match convincingly with a 25-17 decision in the third.
Outside hitter Jurnee Robinson led the Tigers with a match-high 19 kills on an efficient .316 clip, while adding seven digs and two blocks.
Balanced scoring helped push LSU past Omaha, as middle blocker Jessica Jones, right side Tireh Smith and outside hitter Nia Washington all chipped in seven kills. Jones added three blocks, Smith finished with two, and Washington contributed three blocks and a service ace.
Middle blocker Angelina Lee anchored the defense at the net with a team-high six blocks to go along with six kills.
The Tigers’ two-setter system provided steady distribution. Takyla Brown paced the team with 22 assists, while Lauren Brooker dished out 13 assists in addition to four digs, two blocks, and a kill.
Set 1
It was a back-and-forth set that featured 19 ties and 10 lead changes. Omaha held a 15-14 edge at the media timeout and was on top 20-19 when LSU called its first timeout of the match. LSU scored four of the following seven points, capped by an ace from outside hitter AC Froehlich, to give the Tigers a late 23-22 lead. After three ties and a couple of lead changes, LSU held on to win the set, 27-25. Robinson led the Tigers with five kills, and Lee had four kills on six swings with no errors (.667).
Set 2
LSU jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but Omaha pieced together a 10-4 run, taking a 12-9 advantage, forcing LSU to call a timeout. The Mavericks pushed its lead to 13-10, but the Tigers rattled off three points highlighted by a pair of blocks to tie the set at 13 and encouraged Omaha to call for time. The Bayou Bengals run continued on the other side of the break as they went ahead 17-13 behind an overall 7-0 run. The Mavericks fought back and took a 21-20 lead on a 4-1 run, however, the Tigers closed the set on a 5-2 run for a 25-23 win. Robinson led the charge with six kills, and Lee turned in four blocks.
Set 3
LSU took a 15-14 lead into the media timeout and pushed its lead to 17-14 when Omaha called a timeout. The Tigers would pull away from there and win the set 25-17 behind eight kills from Robinson.
Up Next
LSU takes on San Diego State at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Fertitta Center.
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