Alabama
LSU
Volleyball Falls 3-1 to LSU
10/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The volleyball team fell 3-1 (25-11, 21-25, 25-20, 25-22) to LSU Friday in the CAVE. The loss puts the Crimson Tide at 6-10 for the season with a 4-2 record against Southeastern Conference opponents, while LSU jumps to 10-4 and 4-1 in conference play.
"I thought we competed very hard tonight," said head coach Judy Green. "I also thought that with the line-up choice that we went with I think our team had a lot of confidence in that. We tried to use a little more athleticism in the middle tonight. I think when we get more comfortable doing that it is definitely something that can make our team better. The biggest difference in the match tonight was LSU's ability to side-out. We knew coming into the match they were a great first ball team, and they showed that when they had to get it done. For us, defensively we have got to be better at blocking the outside attack and playing cross-court defense." Returning from an injury, senior Brooks Webster proved ready to play, leading the team with 13 kills. Sophomore Ashley Frazier teamed up with Webster for three blocks and 11 kills of her own. Junior Kayla Schmidt handled the bulk of the assists with 26.
After a 2-0 start in the first set from LSU, junior Calli Johnson and freshman Kayla Fitterer teamed up to put Alabama on the board with an impressive block to bring the Tide in contention at 1-2. After 14 kills by a ferocious LSU attack, Alabama fell 25-11 in the set.
The Tide turned in the second, starting with a kill by Johnson followed by an ace from junior Mary Catherine Aune to bring Alabama to a 2-0 lead. LSU made an attempt at the lead halfway through the set, but was stopped short with two consecutive blocks by Webster and the team of Johnson and redshirt freshman Leigh Moyer. With the score at 18-15, kills by Webster and Frazier gave the Tide enough momentum to hold off the Tigers. Frazier finished off the set with two consecutive kills to give the Tide a 25-22 victory.
LSU took a quick lead in the third set until an ace by sophomore Stephanie Riley set up the Tide for three kills to bring the score to 8-9. The points remained close throughout the set, with an impressive kill by Frazier after a long rally at 20-23. The Tigers remained on top, finishing the set 20-25.
The fourth set began with a trio of points from the Tigers. The Tide reacted quickly with a strong kill by Webster to tie the score at 6-6. The score between the teams remained within one point until a block by Webster and Frazier catapulted the Tide to a 12-10 lead midway through the set. LSU responded to every attempt by Alabama, regaining the lead and finishing the set at 22-25.
The Tide will hit the road next week for a set of conference matches, taking on Arkansas in Fayetteville Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. (CST), followed by a trip to Oxford to face off against the Rebels on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (CST). Follow the action on Rolltide.com.
