TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After falling in the first set, Alabama volleyball rallied to win the next two and take a 2-1 match lead over LSU, but the Tigers responded with a close 27-25 win in the fourth before defeating the Crimson Tide 15-7 in the fifth to take the match Wednesday night in Foster Auditorium.
Alabama (7-13, 1-7 SEC) dropped the first set to LSU (11-8, 5-4 SEC), 25-19, before answering right back with a 25-17 decision in the second to even the match. Late in the third, the Tigers knocked in four in a row to lead 23-21 but the Tide fought back to even it at 24-24. After three more set points Alabama finally broke through thanks to an LSU attack error to win, 28-26, and take a 2-1 lead. The end of the fourth played out in similar fashion, though the Tigers held off a resurgent Tide to win 27-25 before closing the door with a 15-7 decision in the fifth.
Both teams finished the night with 15 blocks, marking a season high for Alabama and its highest total since finishing with 18 in a five-set win against Ole Miss on Nov. 3, 2019. Alyiah Wells led the way in that department with a season-high 10 blocks, putting her just two away from the 300th of her career. Kendyl Reaugh and Emily Janek both earned double-doubles, including a career-best 20 digs for Janek.
Notes
- The match was just the second five-set contest of the season for Alabama, and its first at home or in conference play
- The 15 blocks are the Tide’s highest total since earning 18 in a five-set win against Ole Miss on Nov. 3, 2019
- Alyiah Wells led the team with a season-best 10 blocks, putting her just two away from the 300th of her career
- Kendyl Reaugh earned her third double-double of the season while Emily Janek earned her sixth, including a career-best 20 digs
- Abby Marjama is now just one service ace shy of tying her single-season high of 48 from her freshman campaign at UC Irvine
Stat Leaders
Set-by-Set
- Set 1: LSU 25, Alabama 19
- Set 2: Alabama 25, LSU 17
- Set 3: Alabama 28, LSU 26
- Set 4: LSU 27, Alabama 25
- Set 5: LSU 15, Alabama 7
Up Next: at Georgia (Athens, Ga.)
- Saturday, Oct. 22 – 1 p.m. CT
- Sunday, Oct. 23 – 11 a.m. CT – SEC Network
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