Press Release courtesy of LSU Athletics.
After finishing up the non-conference schedule with a 9-2 mark, the best start to a season since 2013, the LSU volleyball team opens up SEC play Friday at 7 p.m. against Texas A&M in the Maravich Center.
Friday’s match will be aired on SEC Network+ through WatchESPN.com and the app with Garrett Walvoord and Lyn Rollins.
Fran’s Final Thoughts
On Texas A&M…
“We’re excited to start SEC play and we’re excited about our opponent. Texas A&M is a quality opponent and has some great athletes. They have played a tough schedule, so it will be a challenge, but one that we are excited for.”
On continuing the momentum from the 9-2 start to the season…
“We have to understand that when we control our side of the net, is when we are most successful. The emphasis this week has been to create more scoring opportunities to become a little more balanced offensively and not as predictable. And of course, when we do create those opportunities to finish successfully. I thought we were a little high error the last few matches, so we need to clean those up.”
Match Promotions
Come dressed in your GOLD for the 2017 Gold Match. The first 500 students will receive this season’s “Geauxld Digger” tank tops.
Last Time Out
Last Saturday, the Tigers opened up home action with a 3-0 sweep of Houston in front of a 1,030 crowd in the Maravich Center. LSU went with a balanced attack, getting eight kills each from Gina Tillis, Olivia Beyer and Taylor Bannister. Toni Rodriguez finished with seven kills. Anna Swiebel finished the three sets with a double-double (23 assists, 11 digs), her fourth on the year. Freshman Raigen Cianciulli anchored the back row with 15 digs.
A Look at Texas A&M
Texas A&M is currently 3-4 on the season and is coming off two straight losses to Wisconsin, who was ranked sixth at the time, and to Texas, who was also ranked sixth at the time. The Aggies fell in both of those matches in three straight sets. Hollann Hans leads the team offensively with 96 kills, averaging 4.00 kills per set. She is hitting just .182 on the year as she has 50 errors in 253 total attacks. Amy Nettles leads the team in digs with a total of 82, a 3.42 average dig per set. Camille Conner directs the offense at 9.25 assists per set for a total of 222.
Team Notes
>> The nine wins this season match last year’s win total of nine as the Tigers went 9-20 in 2016.
>> The last time the Tigers won an SEC opener was on Sept. 16, 2011 and the last time the Tigers opened SEC action at home and won was on Sept. 21, 2012.
>> In non-conference action, freshman Taylor Bannister led the way for the offense. She led the team with a total of 123 kills at 3.00 kills per set. She hit a .321 clip, commiting just 46 errors in 240 total attacks. She was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Sept. 11 for her big weekend in North Caroline, tallying 58 kills.
>> Sophomore setter Anna Zwiebel has seen the most action in her position and finished the non-conference schedule with 363 assists at 9.07 assists per set which is ranked ninth among the SEC.
>> Sophmore Jacqui Armer leads the team in blocks at 1.41 blocks per set which is ranked third in the conference. She finished with a season-high eight blocks against Baylor.
>> Freshman Raigen Cianciulli anchors down the back row as she leads the team with a total of 161 digs at 3.93 digs per set. That number is seventh in the SEC.
Follow LSU Volleyball
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.
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