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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Volleyball kicks off with Smoot’s 400th win

    Senior middle blocker Rachael Bunn scored 12 kills in the first game to lead the Lady Lions to victory. The win was the 400th career win for Head Coach Jim Smoot who is in his fourth year as head coach.

    Senior middle blocker Rachael Bunn scored 12 kills in the first game to lead the Lady Lions to victory. The win was the 400th career win for Head Coach Jim Smoot who is in his fourth year as head coach.
    The Lion's Roar/Kelonda Dixon

    The Lady Lions traded blows with the Southern Lady Jaguars last Saturday winning their home opener 3-1, but losing the second match 3-1.

    “I just think we made too many errors,” said volleyball Head Coach Jim Smoot. “The first match I know they had 96 points total and we had 52 hitting errors, blocking errors, ball-handling errors and service errors. So, we gave them more than half their points. Southern played really well. I think the coach has done a great job with them. That was the best I have ever seen Southern play.”

    The first win was the 400th career win for Smoot.

    “It just means I’m old,” said Smoot. “If I have done that in my thirties, it would have meant something, but it just means I have been coaching for a long time.”

    The Lady Lions went into the two matches without senior middle blocker Landry Bullock who was out due to an injury.

    “She had some knee problems,” said Smoot. “She got some treatment and had to be out seven days after the treatment, but she will be back. I do think that obviously affected our play. That’s our one all-conference player.”

    The first match was won through the strength of a .218 attack percentage. Three Lady Lions had double-digit kills with senior middle blocker Rachael Bunn leading the team with 12 kills, just one shy of her record. 

    Sophomore setter Haley Baker recorded a double-double with 29 assists and 12 digs. Redshirt-freshman Elyssa Purcell had a good all-around game with seven kills, 14 assists and eight digs.

    The Lady Lions started the first set with a seven point lead before Southern came back to take the lead. The Lady Lions had to roar back to take the first set 28-26.

    The Lady Lions won the second set 27-25 before the half, but the third match was more competitive and the Lady Jaguars won their only set 25-21.

    In the fourth set, both teams fought back and forth before the Lady Lions were able to go on a run and win the first match 25-20.

    Senior outside hitter Madi Odom had her fifth double-double of her career in the second match with 14 kills and 25 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Monica Ramon had a match-high 27 digs joined by senior outside hitter Parrie Hartley who had 10 assists. It was not enough to complete a sweep.

    The Lady Jaguars took an early lead, but the Lady Lions fought back into it. The Lady Jaguars closed out the first set late in the first match 26-24.

    A similar ending met the second set with the Lady Jaguars finishing the second set in a closer ending with a score 25-22. However, in the third set the Lady Lions never trailed and won that set 25-19.

    The fourth and final set was won by the Lady Jaguars 25-22 to win the second match and avoid a sweep in the doubleheader.

    The Lady Lions will compete against Troy University tonight at 6 p.m. 

    The Lady Lions start the season 1-1 after splitting two games with the Southern Jaguars last Saturday. Senior Landry Bullock did not play in the two games because of a knee injury. Her absence is listed by Coach Smoot as being very visible during the games.

    The Lady Lions start the season 1-1 after splitting two games with the Southern Jaguars last Saturday. Senior Landry Bullock did not play in the two games because of a knee injury. Her absence is listed by Coach Smoot as being very visible during the games. 
    The Lion's Roar/Kelonda Dixon

     

     

     

     

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