BOX SCORE
ORLANDO - (Sept. 9) Senior Matea Mamic had a match-high 18 kills and freshman Katarina Marinkovic added 12, but the Seattle University volleyball team struggled overall against LSU’s defense in a 19-25, 22-25, 25-23, 18-25 setback to open play at the Holiday Inn Orlando East UCF Area Classic in Orlando Friday.
The Redhawks fell to an even 4-4 on the season while the Tigers moved to 3-4 overall.
“We had strong performances to day from our seniors, Matea and Iris,” said SU Head Coach James Finley. “But LSU played a good match and kept us out of our system often. We need to get better under pressure.”
SU hit just .059 with eight kills and six errors in the first set and despite playing close the majority of the way, surrendered five of the final six points of the set.
Knotted at 13-13 in the second set, LSU rolled off five straight points to open up an 18-13 advantage and were able to hold on for a 25-22 win.
The Redhawks battled from behind to clinch the third set, 25-23. Trailing 13-8, they rallied to eventual tie the score 19-19 on a Kory White kill. They would take the lead 24-23 on an Iris Ivanis ace and a block by Kahle Elliott and Maja Stojanovic sealed the set victory.
That momentum carried into the fourth set as SU lead early, but it was the Tigers’ turn to rally, putting away seven straight points to take a commanding 24-17 advantage. A Mamic kill halted the streak, but LSU would come back for match point on the ensuing serve.
Mamic had six digs to go along with her 18 kills, while Ivanis finished with a match-high 21 digs. The Tigers earned an 11-5 advantage on blocks, including five solo blocks.
Gina Tillis (16), Sydney Mukes (11) and Khourtni Fears (10) all finished with double digit kills for LSU.
Seattle U is back in action Saturday at 3 p.m. Pacific, taking on Florida Atlantic as play in the Holiday Inn Orlando East UCF Area Classic continues.