Freshman outside hitter Jurnee Robinson turned in a dominating performance with a match-high of 23 kills, as LSU (1-0) prevailed in a five-set battle at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) against UCLA . The Bruins were 49-4 in season openers over the last 53 seasons before last nights match up against LSU.
The win marks LSU’s first victory over the storied UCLA volleyball program. As a unit, the Tigers had a balanced offensive attack with a .314 hitting percentage behind 66 kills. They also held the Bruins to a .275 attacking percentage, thanks to 12 blocks. LSU won the advantage in digs 45-43, and both teams logged eight aces.
Top Performers on the Night
True Freshman Jurnee Robinson dominated as she finished with 23 kills and an impressive a .362 hitting percentage on her 23 kills. She also added six digs, three blocks and one ace earning the LSU Daily Player of the Game. Jade Demps the Wisconsin transfer added her first double-double as an LSU Tiger with 14 kills and 10 digs. Demps also added three blocks and one ace.
Then there was the Pre Season All SEC selection duo of Anita Anwusi and Sanaa Dotson. Anwusi put up 13 kills on 18 swings with one error for a match-high .667 hitting percentage, and she also led the team with six blocks, including two solo blocks. Sanaa Dotson rounded out the double-digit kills list with 12 and matched setter Maddie Waak with a team-high two aces. Waak rarely left the court as she recorded a career-high 51 assists in the win and secured her fourth career double-double with 11 digs. She also added two blocks (one solo) and two kills.
The Tigers opened up strong out the gate and cruised to a 2-0 set lead on the Bruins taking the sets 25-20 and 25-18. It seemed th tigers would walk away with the sweep unmatched by the talented Bruins squad. In set 3 ,UCLA was playing on another level as they came out to an impressive 11-4 lead and finished the set 25-20 . In set 4 the Bruins jumped out to another early lead at 6-3. The Tigers battled back and went on a 10-5 run to come within one point at 19-18 before ultimately dropping the set 25-21 .
After a 4-0 run from the Bruins to close out the 4th set they were riding the momentum going into the 5th set but the Tigers would not stop fighting. The two teams traded points with LSU leading 8-7. Then the tigers opened fire as Dotson aced the Bruins and an incredible rally ended with Demps registering her 13th kill of the night for a 10-7 LSU lead. UCLA called a timeout to try and stop the bleeding but the tigers would have none of it as LSU's 4-0 run continued with a block, and the home team scored four of the final seven points to win the set 15-10 and take the match.
Up Next
LSU and UCLA will play again at 5 p.m. CT Saturday at the PMAC.
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