EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part 6 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 running both a 6-2 and splitting time in a 5-1 last season, Daniela Romero returns for her senior season with a renewed leadership.
Ranked fourth in career assists in school history with 2,955, Romero (Arlington, Texas) will finally be able to run her type of fast-paced offense for the first time. Last season, she ranked eighth in the Southeastern Conference in assists per game, while helping the Tigers post the fourth-best hitting percentage and second-most kills per game in the league.
In her previous three seasons, Romero has averaged 10.59 assists per game with 2.44 digs per game and 0.23 service aces per game. On five occasions, she has recorded 60 or more assists in a match, including a career-high 67 against Miami in 2004.
“As a senior, Dee certainly will lead this team,” said LSU head coach Flory. “She has matured into a very positive leader on the court. She is finally being allowed to run the type of offense that best fits her abilities and that she most enjoys running.
“She does a great job of set selection and set location. I think the biggest improvement we will see with her this year is set location. She worked really hard this past spring to become more consistent at that and I think she was very successful.”
The Tigers bring in freshman Maggie Lonergan (Antioch, Ill.), who may figure into playing time. An experienced setter, she led the Sky High Volleyball Club to back-to-back third place finishes nationally in the 15 Club National Division and 16 Club National Division in 2003 and 2004 while being named to the all-tournament teams both years.
“Maggie is a very well-trained setter,” said Flory. “She set for a high-level club her entire career and has enjoyed a high level of success. She has nice speed and delivery. She has run a faster offense so she should fit right into the type of offense that we run.”
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.