Press Release courtesy of LSU Athletics
After winning both matches at home last week, the LSU volleyball team (13-4, 4-2 SEC) will look to take its winning momentum to Auburn (11-4, 4-2 SEC) Friday at 7 p.m. CT inside Auburn Arena.
The matchup will be aired live on the SEC Network+. Fans can access the match online through WatchESPN.com and the app. Brit Bowen and Reita Clanton will be on the call.
Fran’s Final Thoughts
“Auburn has established itself as one of the top teams in the league this year. They provide challenges in many different ways. They are an explosive offensive team as well as being a tenacious defensive team. We will need to play efficiently and remain balanced to be successful.”
Last Time Out
LSU is coming off a five-set thrilling victory over Arkansas Sunday. The Tigers were down 2-1 and rallied to win in five sets for the fourth time this season. Freshman Taylor Bannister led all attackers with 22 kills. Sophomore Jacqui Armer had a career day, finishing with a career-high in kills (17), blocks (11) and hitting percentage (.571). Armer also put up two big blocks on Arkansas’ two match points to help the Tigers take the match to five sets.
A Look at Auburn
Auburn comes into the match with an 11-4 overall record and a 4-2 record in the SEC. Auburn has won two of its last three matches but is coming off a 3-1 loss to Kentucky. The team is hitting .218 on the year and is led by Gwyn Jones. She averages 2.82 kills per set. Shaina White has a team-high hitting percentage of .422 with 157 kills on 322 attacks with 21 errors. Alexa Filley averages 10.7 assists per set, while Jesse Earl leads the back row with 5.33 digs per set.
All-Time vs. Auburn
LSU leads the all-time series over Auburn 41-15. LSU fell to Auburn last season in five sets. The teams split in the two meetings in 2015, both being decided in five sets. The last time LSU won was on October 25, 2015 at home. The last time LSU defeated Auburn on the road was October 19, 2012 with the match being decided in four sets.
Team Notes
>> Gina Tillis is getting close to 1,000 career kills. With her 11 kills against Arkansas, she now sits at 975 with 25 kills left to go to reach the feat. She will become the 22nd Tiger in program history to reach 1,000 kills.
>> The Tigers are 4-0 at home for the first time since 2010.
>> LSU ranks fifth among the league in hitting percentage at .242. The Tigers are sixth in opponent hitting percentage at .188.
>> The Tigers are ranked fourth among the league in blocks per set at 2.55.
>> Jacqui Armer is ranked ninth in the league in hitting percentage at .343 and is third in the league in blocks per set at 1.35.
>> Taylor Bannister is 10th in the SEC in kills per set at 3.31 and in points per set at 3.68.
Follow LSU Volleyball
For all of the latest news and information on Tiger volleyball, visitwww.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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