TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide swept the LSU Tigers 3-0 in dominating fashion on Friday to earn their first conference win of the season.
“It feels awesome,” Coach Rashinda Reed said postgame, “I’m so proud of these ladies, we’ve worked really hard and to see all that work pay off and pay off in our own home, it’s awesome.’’
Outside hitter Sophie Agee echoed her coach’s statement. “It’s been a long time coming. I feel like watching today all our progress and effort paid off, and it showed today.”
The Tide had lost seven straight to LSU prior to this matchup, with their last win coming in 2020 and the last sweep in 2015.
Alabama’s frontcourt had their way with the Tigers, totaling 42 kills and 8 blocks. The backcourt also shined, led by Trinity Stanger’s 10 digs.
The errors that have plagued the Tide all year were mostly nonexistent, with only 12 total errors, and none too costly. Coach Reed emphasized that minimizing errors was the focus of last week’s practice, and it certainly paid off Friday night.
Aside from a back and forth start to the first set, Alabama dominated throughout the whole game. Every time it seemed LSU was starting to claw their way back into the game, the Tide would go on a run and reclaim the momentum.
“I think it really just shows what we do every day in practice,” star middle blocker Lilly Gervase remarked, “we are consistent and working hard and we were able to show that on the court today.”
“We always talk about how we are relentless,” Agee added on, “that’s our key word for this team. I feel like that was the definition of this game.”
When the season is over, we may look back on this game as the major turning point of the season.
“The tide is turning,” Coach Reed declared, “it comes from us as a coaching staff to be consistent and be positive and the players following our lead.”
“We got something special here, and I would love to say that it came from us, but it really came from them.”
Alabama moves to 1-4 in SEC play and 9-6 overall. They will take on Texas in Foster Auditorium at 2:00 PM on Sunday.
