Editor’s Note: Second in a series of 12 volleyball articles recapping the outstanding 2006 season, previewing the 2007 season, giving fans basic volleyball rules, terminology and scoring basics leading up to the season-opening Mizuno Tiger Classic tournament in the Maravich Center on Aug. 24-25.
BATON ROUGE — Despite losing four-year starter Melody Clark to graduation, the middle blocker position should remain a solid strength for the Tigers in 2007 with the return of a pair of rising stars.
The Tigers return one of the best young middle blockers in the SEC from a season ago in Lauren DeGirolamo (Belleville, Ill.) while adding in outstanding talent in sophomore Brittnee Cooper (Houston, Texas) and freshman Tania Schatow (Fraser, Mich.).
The Louisiana Freshman of the Year and SEC All-Freshman team selection, DeGirolamo ranked third in the league and ninth in the nation in blocks per game a year ago. In addition, she led LSU and ranked 10th in the conference in attacking percentage.
“Lauren has always been and will continue to be a true stabilizing force both offensive and defensively,” said LSU head coach Fran Flory. “We’ve added a few things for her offensively to make her a little more versatile. She continues to improve and become more physical and quicker. After an All-Freshman year, I look for her to have an outstanding sophomore season.”
Contributing in many of the Tigers’ matches both in the middle and along the right side while developing as a freshman, Cooper will make an immediate impact on the LSU lineup as she enters her sophomore campaign.
“Brittnee Cooper really had a wonderful freshman year, especially in the spring,” said Flory. “She developed into a true impacting middle blocker and middle attacker. She’s going to be a terminator for us and she’s going to be a key in our offense.”
A talented two-sport standout, Schatow (Fraser, Mich.) joins the LSU squad after leading her Fraser High School team to the Michigan state title match in 2005. The towering 6-4 freshman was named the “Best Volleyball Player in Michigan” by Rise Magazine during her senior season.
“Tania certainly added size to our team,” said Flory. “She will develop into a terminating offensive player and certainly a force blocking with her wing span. She is going to be a great player. It will take her a little time to develop but by midseason I look for her to be a force in our lineup.”
The team will open the season on Aug. 24 against New Orleans in the Maravich Center in the Mizuno Tiger Classic at 7 p.m. The Tigers will then take on Louisiana-Monroe on Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. before closing out the two-day tournament against Saint Louis at 7 p.m. Admission to all volleyball matches is only $5 for adults and $3 for children. Team posters and schedule cards will be available to pick up throughout the tournament.