EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part 4 of a 12-part volleyball series recapping the outstanding 2005 season, previewing the 2006 season, giving fans basic volleyball rules, terminology and scoring basics leading up to the season-opening Tiger Invitational tournament in the Maravich Center on Aug. 25-26, featuring the “Pack Pete’s Seats” match against No. 2 Penn State at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26.
BATON ROUGE — After an outstanding season in 2005 that saw the Tigers rank fourth in the Southeastern Conference in hitting percentage and second in kills per game, LSU returns experienced outside hitters this in 2006.
Sophomore Kyna Washington (Houston, Texas) made an immediate impact as a freshman a year ago, earning SEC All-Freshman team and honorable mention All-Louisiana honors. Washington moved into the starting lineup during the third week of the season and completed the year ranked second on the team in kills and kills per game.
“Kyna had a great freshman year,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “We were able to bring her along slowly and mature her without putting a lot of pressure on her early in the season. We reaped the benefits of that throughout the latter part of the year. She has matured as a player, becoming more creative and becoming more of the terminating offensive threat that we need her to be for this team.”
After earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors on the right side, sophomore Marina Skender (Zagreb, Croatia) played much of the spring on the outside and may see time on the court there this season. In her inaugural campaign, she ranked third on the team in kills, blocks and assists while ranking second in service aces.
“Marina developed into an outstanding left side this spring and that may be a possibility this fall,” said Flory. “She has the most shots of any outside hitter I have ever coached. Her ability to place the ball while being accurate and efficient are probably her biggest attributes. She can also be a terminating player on the left side.”
One of the stars of the 2006 Tiger signing class, Alaina Klarquist (Allen, Texas) is a two-time participant in the USA Volleyball High Performance camp. She also led Allen High School to a Class 5A runner-up finish in 2003 and will likely make an immediate impact on the court for LSU.
“Alaina is a physical kid who hits a heavy ball,” said Flory. “She will probably have an opportunity to play fairly early. Our offense fits right into her ability and she fits into our system very well. I don’t think it will take her long to find a rhythm within the offensive game that we are playing.”
One of LSU’s emotional leaders on and off the court, Lauren Leaumont (New Orleans, La.) returns for her final season with the Tigers. The senior saw action in all 29 matches a year ago and has always stepped up to the challenge to keep an LSU rally going when called upon.
“Lauren Leaumont has a huge arsenal of shots,” said Flory. “She does a great job of keeping us in play. She isn’t a high error type of player and certainly provides a great balance to the rest of the outside hitters.”
A local recruit who is familiar with the Tigers, Shannon Balikowsky comes to LSU from Woodlawn High School across town in Baton Rouge. She was a 2005 first-team all-state selection and led the Panthers to the 2003 and 2004 district championships.
“Shannon is a physical player who comes in from high school,” said Flory. “She will need some time to adjust to the collegiate game but certainly has some great athletic ability and late in the season could have some opportunity to play.
A transfer from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, Kristie Dugas was a 2004 all-state selection at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb. She led the Thunderbolts to a state runner-up finish in 2004 and a third place finish in the state in 2003.
“Kristie is a bit smaller but does a nice job of being a ball-control outside,” said Flory.
The team will open the 2006 season on Aug. 25 against Rice in the Maravich Center in the Tiger Invitational at 7 p.m. The Tigers will then take on Nicholls State on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. before closing out the two-day tournament against No. 2 Penn State at 7 p.m.
Admission to the tournament is free with an “Advocate” ticket. Those tickets are available through the LSU Promotions Department by calling (225) 578-8960. In addition, fans are encouraged to wear white to the Penn State match, and “Walk on the Wild Side” t-shirts will be given away in an attempt to “Pack Pete’s Seats” and break the LSU volleyball attendance record.