LSU volleyball team falls to SEC newcomer Texas A&M

The victory enabled Texas A&M (16-5, 8-4 SEC) to keep pace with Arkansas atop the SEC Western Division standings. The Tigers (9-13, 5-8 SEC) were limited to a .152 hitting percentage and a 46 percent sideout efficiency, while the Aggies countered with a .244 hitting ratio to go along with a 63 percent sideout clip.

“We knew we had to win the serve-pass battle if we were going to stay in this match and have a chance to win,” coach Fran Flory said. “We didn’t do a very good job of it. Down the stretch, we got out of system offensively. From our setters to our hitters, we tried to be a little bit too perfect. We put too much pressure on ourselves to make plays rather than turn it into a transition match.”

Elliott’s 22 spikes came on a team-leading .390 hitting clip. She was the only LSU player to reach double figure kills.

Texas A&M’s Allie Sawatzky nearly compiled a triple-double with 42 assists, 10 kills and eight kills.

The Aggies also received a double dip as Alisia Kastmo popped 16 kills and corralled 13 digs. She also slapped four of A&M’s seven aces for the match.

Tennis

LSU WINS FOUR DOUBLES MATCHES IN CONFERENCE CHALLENGE: In College Station, Texas, the LSU men’s tennis team got off to a fast start by winning four of six doubles matches on the first day of competition Friday at the Conference Challenge hosted by Texas A&M at Mitchell Tennis Center and Smith Tennis Complex.

LSU’s three doubles pairs all claimed first-round victories to get the Tigers rolling early.

The first round of singles play was scheduled to begin Friday, but rain postponed the start of singles until Saturday.

Results

Doubles first round

Chris Simpson/Stefan Szacinski (LSU) def. Shane Vinsant/Harrison Adams (Texas A&M), 8-4

Tam Trinh/Roger Anderson (LSU) def. John Harry Warden/Larry Formentera (OU), 8-3

Boris Arias/Harrison Kennedy (LSU) def. Jared Hiltzik/Bruno Abdelnour (Illinois), 9-7

Doubles second round

Chris Simpson/Stefan Szacinski (LSU) def. Arturs Kazijevs/Mischa Nowicki (SMU), 8-6

Jared Hiltzik/Alex Jesse (Illinois) def. Tam Trinh/Roger Anderson (LSU), 8-5

Alberto Bautista/Jordan Szabo (Texas A&M) def. Boris Arias/Harrison Kennedy (LSU), 8-6

Swimming and diving

LSU SWAMPS TULANE: In New Orleans, the LSU women’s swimming and diving team (3-1, 1-1 SEC) won every event and defeated Tulane (1-2), 174-69.

“Overall, it was a great team performance. The women came in with sort of a chip on their shoulder and really stepped up,” coach Dave Geyer said. “From the first relay to the last relay, they refused to be beat in anything. It was a great team performance from top to bottom.”

The Lady Tigers will host North Carolina State on Saturday at 2 p.m. (CDT) in the LSU Natatorium.

Rainey White led LSU with two individual victories and one relay win.

Diver Cassie Weil earned her third career victory on the three-meter springboard (297.45).

Alex Bettridge picked up her first victory of the season on the one-meter springboard with a score of 253.42.

Soccer

KOVACEVIC CLAIMS SEC FRESHMAN HONOR: LSU freshman Jade Kovacevic, who was the offensive star for the Tigers in their 3-2 comeback victory over Arkansas, was honored as the Southeastern Conference freshman of the week.

No. 8 seed LSU will face Ole Miss in the SEC soccer tournament on Monday.

Gymnastics

SIX MEETS TO BE TELEVISED IN 2013: Six LSU gymnastics meets will be televised during the 2013 season, the Southeastern Conference announced Friday.

The meets will air on a tape-delayed basis.

Season tickets for home meets are available by visiting www.LSUtix.net or by calling 225-578-2184.

A season ticket is $25 for an adult and $15 for youth ages 3-12.

LSU will take on North Carolina State, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama in the Maravich Center this season with the meet against the Crimson Tide serving as the Sixth Annual Etta James Memorial Meet.