Volleyball Loses at LSU
BATON ROUGE, LA. – South Carolina lost in straight sets at LSU (12-8, 6-4 SEC) on Sunday afternoon. The Gamecocks (10-9, 4-5) were undone by unforced errors, finishing the match with 11 service errors and 20 attacking errors compared to four and seven, respectively, for LSU. Lauren McCutcheon led the Carolina offense with 14 kills.
1st SET: The teams battled for control early, there were three lead changes and seven ties before the first timeout of the set, where LSU held a 15-12 lead. The numbers on offense were nearly identical in that opening stretch, with 10 kills for each team and the only difference in the box score was a trio of service errors from the Gamecocks.
The Tigers found the first momentum of the game with a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 17-12 and the home side was able to string along at least a three-point advantage the rest of the way in a 25-18 final. South Carolina’s unforced errors were the difference, along with three more service errors than LSU, the Gamecocks also committed seven attacking errors despite just one block by the Tigers and lost despite an advantage in kills.
2nd SET: LSU used four blocks in its first six points to take a 6-2 lead off the jump and were in control through to the end in a 25-13 final to take the 2-0 set lead. The Tigers finished with six blocks overall in the second and added three service aces to run away with the game.
3rd SET: The third set played out similar to the first, the two teams traded points throughout with a whopping 13 ties and four lead changes by the time either side made it to 15 points. LSU took the lead at the first timeout of the set, 15-14, and after scoring the first point out of the break it was just the second time in the set that either team had a lead of more than one point. The Tigers found their run late, breaking away from just an 18-17 advantage with five of the next six points and closed out the match with a 25-21 score.
NOTABLE
- LSU’s success came through the serve game; the Tigers finished with four aces and just four errors on serve, compared to zero aces and 11 errors for South Carolina.
- Lauren McCutcheon was sharp all afternoon on the attack, the sophomore not only led the team with 14 kills but she also hit .480.
- South Carolina’s blocking was unable to pressure LSU’s offense, finishing with just four blocks in the match. Over the last four games, the Gamecock defense is averaging just 1.63 blocks per set while opponents are averaging 2.88.
UP NEXT
The team has only one game on the schedule for next week, but it will be an action-packed one. The Gamecocks host Texas A&M on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and will celebrate their annual Alumnae Night as well as Senior Night. The ceremony for the team’s seven graduating members – Gabby Brown, Camilla Covas, Holly Eastridge, Jenna Hampton, Dalaney Hans, McKenzie Moorman and Janna Schlageter – will be prior to first serve. Alumnae recognition will be during the match against the Aggies. Follow @GamecockVolley on Twitter for updates on the team.
