Broncos Fall in Tourney Finale vs. LSU

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Western Michigan volleyball team started out hot, but they were unable to overcome an athletic LSU squad as the Broncos fell to the Tigers 3-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-15) in their final match at the Carolina Volleyball Classic on Saturday. With the loss, the Broncos fall to 5-4 on the season.

The Broncos won an impressive first set against the Tigers, hitting .441 and keeping their SEC opponents at bay with a variety of offensive shots. However, the Tigers righted the ship and asserted control in the second set, and the Broncos couldn't quite keep the pace for the remainder.

Carlee Berland tied a career-high with 14 kills and hit .423, committing just three errors on 26 swings. Terin Norris recorded 41 assists, including 17 in the Broncos' first set win, and was named to the Carolina Volleyball Classic All-Tournament team.  Lena Oliver tied the match-high with 16 digs against the Tigers.

WMU started out the match with a near-coast to coast first set victory, baffling the Tigers by spreading the ball around and using different shots to keep them off balance. After taking the first poin on an LSU attack error, Ali Gossen notched the first kill of the match with a cross court shot to the back corner. The Broncos would be the first to five points when Jessica Brown notched a solo block to make it 5-4, and they would break double-digits first when Stephenee Yancy ran a slide right for a kill to make it 10-7.

LSU would storm back to take the lead, and eventually led by as many as four points when Desiree Elliott's kill made it 20-16. The Broncos wouldn't be deterred, however, and tied the set at 21-21 on a kill by Brown. Norris and Brown would combine for a block to give the Broncos a 23-21 lead and force an LSU timeout, and Norris would score a dump kill to clinch the set at 25-22 for the Broncos.

However, the Broncos would struggle with the length and athleticism of the Tigers for the remainder of the match. LSU would lead by as many as 10 points in the second set in taking the second stanza 25-15, but the Broncos would respond with a spirited effort in the third. The Broncos came back from a 16-14 deficit to tie the set at 17-17, but LSU rebounded to score the final eight points of the set and clinch the 2-1 edge. WMU would keep it close early in the fourth set, but the Tigers took control for the win.

The Broncos will next compete next weekend, when they travel to Northwestern to be part of the Wildcat Classic.