Alabama dropped the first set of the match to LSU on Sunday, but was able to bounce back to win the next three sets to win the match.
Alabama (18-12, 6-10 SEC) played flat in the first set, getting blown out 15-25. However, the Crimson Tide bounced back with a dominant second set, 25-14, to even the match at one set a piece.
Sophomore Hayley McSparin said the team came together and responded well after not being happy with the opening set, in a crucial match.
“I think we realized we need to settle in and play our game,” McSparin said. “We were literally not playing our game or what we were capable of in that first set.”
Alabama edged out a close third set, 25-23 and closed out the Tigers with a dominant fourth set, 25-17, to win the match.
Five players finished in double-figures in digs for Alabama, led by freshman Kaylee Thomas and her career-high 19. Junior Quincey Gary (17), sophomore Mahalia Swink (15), senior Natalie Murison (10) and freshman Meghan Neelon (10) all also finished in double-figures.
Neelon also finished with 40 assists, collecting her 13th double-double of the season.
McSparin led the Alabama offense with 15 kills and a .462 hitting percentage. Sophomore Ginger Perinar and Swink finished with 14 and 10 kills respectively.
Senior Leah Lawrence finished the match with six kills, five blocks and three of the eight Alabama service aces.
Head coach Ed Allen said he didn’t have to say anything to his team after the disappointing first set.
“This is a very competitive team,” he said. “The team works hard, it just lacks consistency from time-to-time. I thought we played the second, third and fourth sets as consistently as you can play.”
Defeating LSU on Sunday will help Alabama as it tries to get a spot in the NCAA tournament. LSU is ranked 33rd in RPI, while Alabama fell to 51 after it lost to South Carolina.
“We lost to South Carolina and that hurt us very much,” McSparin said. “Hopefully this win will jump us up in RPI and make the tournament.”
Alabama finishes the regular season with two matches this week. The Crimson Tide travels to traveling to Columbia, Mo., for a road match against Missouri (19-10, 12-4 SEC) on Wednesday, at 5 p.m.
Alabama returns home on Saturday for a match at noon at Foster Auditorium. It will be senior day and the final regular season match for the Crimson Tide.
