The No. 10 ranked LSU beach volleyball team (2-5) split its matches on the final day of the East vs. West tournament, sweeping Cal Poly and falling to No. 6 Long Beach State, 3-2.
The team will return to action this weekend for its first set of home matches this season in the Tiger Beach Challenge.
“It was a really great weekend. We are not used to gauging our success outside of wins and losses, but this weekend definitely deserves consideration,” said head coach Russell Brock.
“The experience our teams gained by playing in that environment and against that type of competition is invaluable. As a staff, we are incredibly proud of how the girls played and how they represented LSU. We aren’t satisfied to just be close to beating those teams, but the results are still impressive.”
LSU got off to a good start early against Cal Poly as Olivia Powers and Katie Lindelow won in dominating fashion in straights 21-6, 21-17. No. 1 pair Emmy Allen and Ashley Allmer gave the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead after a big 18-21, 21-18, 15-10 victory.
On court five, Cati Leak and Callan Molle secured the match for LSU, notching another point in a two-setter by a score of 21-17, 21-14. Freshman duo Claire Coppola and Kristen Nuss picked up their fourth win as a pair after rallying back in three sets 16-21, 21-19, 15-11 at the three
Riley Young and Megan Davenport kept their undefeated streak alive after winning in three sets 21-15, 18-21, 19-17 for the 5-0 sweep.
In the second match against No. 6 Long Beach State, LSU found itself in an early hole after dropping the first three points.
Davenport and Molle fell in straights at the five 21-19, 21-11, and on court one, Allmer and Allen also dropped their match in two sets 21-8, 21-12.
Leak and Maddie Ligon were also defeated for the second time as a pair by a score of 21-13, 21-18 at the four spot.
On court two, Coppola and Nuss capped off their greet weekend after collecting their second win of the day in three sets 21-17, 17-21, 15-13. In all, the tandem took three of the four matches they played, including two wins against teams ranked in the top-six.
Powers and Lindelow tallied the second point for the Lady Tigers, garnering a tightly-contested three-setter by a score of 23-21, 15-21, 15-12.
“Moving forward, we have to use this weekend and how incredibly well we played as a launching point for the rest of the season,” added Brock.
“The plan is to play with the same type of passion and energy and to continue to improve technically.”
No. 10 LSU 5, Cal Poly 0 – East Meets West Invitational – Manhattan Beach, CA – Sunday, March 12, 2017
#1: Emmy Allen/Ashley Allmer (LSU) def. Emily Sonny/Hannah Hubbard (CP) – 18-21, 21-18, 15-10
#2: Claire Coppola/Kristen Nuss (LSU) def. Adlee Van Winden/Taylor Nelson (CP) – 16-21, 21-19, 15-11
#3: Olivia Powers/Katie Lindelow (LSU) def. Raeann Greisen/Heather Pembroke (CP) – 21-6, 21-17
#4: Riley Young/Megan Davenport (LSU) def. Savannah Niemen/Anna Gorman (CP) – 21-15, 18-21, 19-17
#5: Cati Leak/Callan Molle (LSU) def. Taylor Gruenwald/Brayden Gruenwald (CP) – 21-17, 21-14
Order of finish: 3, 5, 2*, 4, 1
No. 6 Long Beach State 3, No. 10 LSU 2 – East Meets West Invitational – Manhattan Beach, CA – Sunday, March 12, 2017
#1: Rachel Nieto/Nele Barber (LBSU) def. Emmy Allen/Ashley Allmer (LSU) – 21-8, 21-12
#2: Claire Coppola/Kristen Nuss (LSU) def. Kobi Pekich/Sasha Karelov (LBSU) – 21-17, 17-21, 15-13
#3: Olivia Powers/Katie Lindelow (LSU) def. Anete Brinke/Hailey Harward (LBSU) – 23-21, 15-21, 15-12
#4: Morea Wagner/Heather Weiss (LBSU) def. Cati Leak/Maddie Ligon (LSU) – 21-13, 21-18
#5: Jenelle Hudson/Megan Kruidhof (LBSU) def. Megan Davenport/Callan Molle (LSU) – 21-19, 21-11
Order of finish: 5, 1, 4*, 2, 3
Courtesy of LSU Athletics.
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