LSU volleyball falls to Tennessee, 3-2

The LSU volleyball team recorded a season-high 18 blocks, but it wasn’t enough as defending SEC champion Tennessee charged back to claim a 3-2 victory (25-15, 24-26, 26-24, 21-25, 7-15) Wednesday.

The Tigers (7-11, 3-6 SEC) were unable to hold a 2-1 advantage for the second consecutive Wednesday, while Tennessee (12-5, 5-3 SEC) earned its third straight five-set victory. The Lady Vols grinded out a .193 to .161 hitting percentage edge and 106-105 digs advantage, respectively.

On the front row, Khourni Fears was involved in 10 of LSU’s 18 blocks.

Desiree Elliott garnered 20 kills on a team-leading .277 hitting percentage. She also recorded eight blocks and tallied a career-best eight digs. Madie Jones had 19 kills to go along with five digs and equaled a career-high with four blocks.

Helen Boyle had 13 kills and 14 digs, while Malorie Pardo tacked on 54 assists and a career-best 19 digs. Cati Leak compiled a balanced effort with seven kills, 14 digs and a career-high seven blocks.

Softball

LSU WINS TWO OVER McNEESE: Rachele Fico and Ashley Czechner fired a pair of three-hit shutouts as the LSU softball team secured 7-0 and 3-0 victories over McNeese State on Tuesday at Tiger Park.

Fico was dominant and totaled 10 strikeouts. Czechner collected four strikeouts.

During the first game, LSU loaded the bases in the third inning. Kellsi Kloss, Sandra Simmons and Simone Heyward set the table with three singles. With two outs, Rikki Alcaraz hit a grand slam to give the Tigers a 4-0 advantage.

Simmons and Heyward connected singles again in the fifth inning and Bianka Bell cleared the bases with a three-run homer to provide the the final margin of 7-0.

In the second game, LSU started fast against the Cowgirls with a two-run first inning when Jacee Blades had a one-out single to right field, Kailey McCasland drew a walk and Bell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tammy Wray also walked and Dylan Supak got an RBI on a sacrifice fly to give the Tigers a 2-0 edge.

LSU tacked on an insurance run in the fourth inning when Wray delivered a leadoff line drive single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored two batters later on an RBI single from Kloss.

LSU continues its fall season at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a single game against Nicholls State. Admission is free.

Swimming

LSU WOMEN DEFEATS VANDERBILT IN SEC OPENER: In Nashville, the LSU swimming team defeated Vanderbilt by a score of 181-80 in the Lady Tiger’s first conference and second road meet of the season.

The Lady Tigers (2-0, 1-0 SEC) were led by NCAA Qualifier sophomore Amber Carter’s pair of victories in the 100 butterfly (55.59) and the 100 freestyle (51.61). In total, the team won 11 of the 14 events.

A trio of NCAA qualifiers earned an individual victory. Senior Sara Haley won the 200 fly (2:03.77), junior Rainey White won the 50 free (24.06) and junior Torrey Bussey won the 200 individual medley (2:05.28).

LSU swept the distance events behind freshmen Jesse James and Stacey Stanfield, who each delivered first place swims in the 1000 free (10:21.96) and 500 free (5:05.30), respectively. James finished second in the 500 free (5:05.30) as well.