LSU golfer Presley 12th in Florida
WINDERMERE, Fla. — After opening the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational with a 1-over par 73 during Sunday’s first round, LSU’s Andrew Presley followed with a 1-over 73 in Monday’s second round to lead the 13th-ranked Tigers at Isleworth Golf and Country Club.
With back-to-back 73s, Presley is on the verge of a top-10 finish in one of the top tournaments of the collegiate season. He will tee off in the final round Tuesday in a 12th-place tie overall with his team-leading 36-hole score of 2-over par 146.
After wrapping up the first round in fifth place with an opening score of 6-over par 294, the Tigers posted a team total of 19-over par 307 in Monday’s second round to fall into 11th place with a two-day team total of 25-over par 601. LSU has earned back-to-back runner-up finishes in the event in 2010 and 2011.
No. 1 California’s four-stroke lead was cut to three with a 7-over 295 on Monday to finish the day with a 36-hole score of 3-over 579.
Presley will tee off in the final round seven shots out of the lead. Michael Kim of California is the 36-hole leader with his two-day total of 5-under par 139.
The Tigers are paired with Central Florida and TCU in Tuesday’s final round and will begin at 7:25 p.m. on the back nine.
Volleyball
MANNARI HONORED BY SEC: In Birmingham, Ala., LSU libero Meghan Mannari earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors Monday as announced by the league office.
It is Mannari’s fourth career weekly award from the SEC.
“We’re extremely happy for Meghan to earn this award after putting together one of the most memorable defensive performances in LSU volleyball history,” LSU coach Fran Flory said. “Certainly, to have 40 digs in a four-set match is something truly special. Meghan and our entire back row unit have played at an extremely high level in SEC play.”
Mannari came away with 7.57 digs per set a week after she became the 12th member of LSU’s 1,000 career digs club. She had a career-best 40 digs at Auburn, the second-highest single match total in program history. It is also the top mark for a SEC player in a four-set match this season.
Since returning to the libero role on Oct. 7, Mannari has strung together five straight matches with double-figure digs. Her 5.67 digs per set average in league play would lead the SEC rankings if Mannari didn’t miss LSU’s first six conference matches with an injury.
LSU (9-12, 5-7 SEC) wraps up its October slate with back-to-back televised home matches Friday versus Texas A&M (7 p.m., CST), followed by a Sunday matinee with Mississippi State (1 p.m.(CSS/CST).
Admission to all 2012 home matches is free compliments of the Advocate’s “Geaux Free” program. At every home match, LSU will be collecting pet supplies at the fan zone as part of its “PAWS in the PMAC” campaign to benefit the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society.
Basketball
MINI-TICKET PLANS ON SALE: Mini-ticket plans for the upcoming LSU men’s and women’s basketball season are now on sale at www.LSUtix.net.
There are two options for men’s tickets. The “Pick 3 Plan” allows a fan to choose any three home games for $39, while the “Pick 5 Plan” allows a fan to select any five home games for $60.
The “3-Point Play” allows a fan to choose either the Tennessee or Texas A&M women’s games in early February and any other two home women’s games during the season for only $20. The “SEC 4-Game Package” features any four SEC home women’s games for $24.
In addition to www.LSUtix.net, tickets can be purchased in person at the LSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Athletic Administration Building or by calling (225) 578-2184.
Nonconference individual game tickets for both teams go on sale on Monday, Nov. 5. Southeastern Conference individual game tickets go on sale on Dec. 10.
Women’s tennis
DUO FALLS AT ITA REGIONAL: In Tuscaloosa, Ala., the LSU women’s tennis duo of Kaitlin Burns and Ariel Morton lost in the doubles consolation final at the USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships on Monday to concluded their fall season.
Auburn’s Emily Flickinger and Pleun Burgmans defeated Burns and Morton, 8-5.
“Kaitlin Burns and Ariel Morton had a great tournament, but they struggled today with some old habits,” coach Julia S. Sell said. ”They are learning how to keep their intensity high from start to finish and why that is so important to their overall development and confidence.
“Regionals was our last tournament this fall and has shown us that while we aren’t exactly where we want to be with our games, we are certainly on the right path. I’m really proud of how hard this team has worked this fall and of their overall improvement. There is a really positive energy that surrounds our current team, and it has made me excited for what’s ahead.”
The Lady Tigers will be back in action at the Clemson Indoor Classic Jan. 18-20.