At the Death Volley Invitational hosted in Baton Rouge, LSU’s top beach volleyball pair, Kate Baker and Tatum Finlason, delivered a stunning performance that underscored their importance to the Tigers’ growing dominance in the sport. Over the span of the event, the duo emerged as a key force, guiding LSU to several high-profile victories and demonstrating the kind of chemistry and grit that defines championship-caliber teams. With each serve, block, and rally, Baker and Finlason made a statement—not just about their own capabilities, but about LSU’s rightful place among the elite of collegiate beach volleyball.

The Death Volley Invitational brought together some of the most formidable programs in the nation, including top-ranked squads like No. 1 UCLA, No. 4 USC, and No. 9 Long Beach State. It was a weekend loaded with pressure, packed stands, and high expectations, but Baker and Finlason met the moment with poise and determination. On the top court, often viewed as the battleground for each team’s best pairing, the LSU tandem went 3-1, earning victories against powerhouse programs and showcasing their exceptional synergy on the sand.

Their campaign began with a thriller against USC’s top team, composed of Maya Gessner and Jess Horwath. It was a match that demanded stamina, mental toughness, and an almost telepathic level of communication between partners. After splitting the first two sets—21-19 and 27-29—Baker and Finlason dug deep in the third and final frame. Every point felt like a battle, but the LSU pair edged out the Trojans with a clutch 21-19 win, sealing their first major upset of the tournament and setting the tone for what was to come.

Later that day, the challenge intensified against No. 1 UCLA. Baker and Finlason faced Alexa Fernandez and Kaley Mathews, a pairing that had been nearly flawless all season. Undeterred, the LSU pair fought with precision and resilience, capturing both sets 21-19. Despite LSU ultimately losing to UCLA as a team, the top-court victory carried enormous symbolic weight. Beating the Bruins’ best duo was a sign that LSU, behind Baker and Finlason, could go toe-to-toe with the nation’s finest and come out on top.

The final match of the Invitational for Baker and Finlason came against Long Beach State. Coming off their monumental win against UCLA, some wondered whether the Tigers’ top team could maintain that same intensity. Any doubt was quickly erased as they dismantled Mahala Esser and Tineke Hinton in two efficient sets, 21-12 and 21-19. The straight-set win clinched LSU’s team victory and added a decisive exclamation point to the weekend.

It wasn’t just the wins themselves that impressed—it was the way Baker and Finlason earned them. Their communication was near flawless. Finlason’s setting and strategic placement meshed seamlessly with Baker’s aggressive net play and powerful swings. Their ability to read opponents, adjust mid-match, and support each other through tense moments made them a nightmare for any team standing across the net. Every time LSU needed a spark or a swing in momentum, it seemed like the ball found its way to either Baker or Finlason—and more often than not, they delivered.

Their play didn’t go unnoticed. On the Tuesday following the tournament, the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) named Baker and Finlason the Pair of the Week—a prestigious honor that only reinforced what fans, coaches, and teammates already knew. They were elite. More than just a strong team, they were the emotional and competitive anchors of the LSU beach volleyball squad. As the rest of the country tuned into the results from the Death Volley Invitational, the Baker-Finlason duo emerged as the story.

Head coach Russell Brock was quick to praise his top pair after the tournament. Brock, a seasoned veteran of the sport, has seen what it takes to build a championship team, and he knows the value of a dominant Court 1 pairing. He emphasized how crucial Baker and Finlason were—not just in terms of results, but as tone-setters. Their competitiveness filters down the roster, pushing every other LSU pair to elevate their game. Brock remarked that their preparation, energy, and trust in each other embody everything he wants the program to stand for.

For Finlason, a returning standout, the weekend was another step in what’s been a stellar collegiate career. Known for her court vision and precise touch, she orchestrated much of LSU’s offensive flow. Her ability to control tempo and neutralize opposing attackers has turned her into one of the most respected players in the CCSA. When the game speeds up or the score tightens, Finlason’s calm demeanor and smart decision-making serve as a steadying influence.

Baker, her counterpart, brings an explosive energy and power to the team. Her spikes are crowd-pleasers, but it’s her consistency and defensive range that make her a complete player. Over the weekend, her ability to anticipate plays and make key digs kept LSU in rallies they had no business winning. She’s emerged not just as a star, but as a leader. It’s clear from how teammates react to her on the sideline and how often her name comes up in postgame interviews—this is someone the team rallies behind.

The Death Volley Invitational didn’t just provide a highlight reel of Baker and Finlason’s talents. It also reinforced their status as legitimate contenders on the national level. With the postseason drawing near, the timing of their surge couldn’t be better. As the bracket is filled with perennial powers, LSU’s top court presents a problem few teams will be eager to face. In a sport where the margin between winning and losing is razor-thin, having a duo like Baker and Finlason gives LSU a major edge.

Beyond the sand, their influence stretches even further. The program’s growing reputation owes much to their efforts. Recruits watching LSU’s matches see two players who play with passion and purpose. Future Tigers can envision themselves in those same moments, wearing the purple and gold. In many ways, Baker and Finlason are redefining what success looks like for LSU beach volleyball—not just in terms of wins and losses, but in culture, visibility, and national respect.

As the Tigers look ahead to the remaining schedule, the confidence within the locker room is palpable. They’ve seen what they’re capable of when their top team is rolling. Every point they win adds to that belief. Every ranked team they knock off adds to that momentum. And at the center of it all is the unshakable duo of Kate Baker and Tatum Finlason.

Their journey isn’t finished—not even close. But what they accomplished at the Death Volley Invitational was more than just a successful weekend. It was a declaration. With postseason play on the horizon, teams across the country will circle LSU on their schedules, and when they do, they’ll know exactly who they’re up against. Two names. One dominant duo. Baker and Finlason. And for LSU, they just might be the key to making history.