LEXINGTON, Ky. — LSU libero Elena Martinez and middle blocker Brittnee Cooper picked up AVCA All-South Region First-Team accolades Wednesday afternoon as announced by the governing body of collegiate volleyball.
The pair is now eligible to become AVCA All-Americans, which will be announced next week in Omaha prior to the start of Final Four weekend.
It marks the second consecutive season that LSU has had two AVCA All-South Region First-Team selections as Martinez teamed with Lauren DeGirolamo in 2007. Martinez also joins Monique Adams (1990 & 1991), Angie Miller (1990 & 1991) and Daniela Reis (1990, 1991 & 1992) as the only Tigers to have multiple AVCA All-South Region First-Team honors.
“It’s fantastic for Elena to join that elite group of players in our program history,” Flory said. “She worked extremely hard this season and had an outstanding year moving up the LSU record book.”
“Brittnee made the step this season from a great athlete to a great volleyball player,” Flory continued. “She was physically dominating for us towards the end of the season and this honor is something she can carry forward into next season.”
Martinez anchored the LSU back row reeling in 516 digs, including 20 or more digs in 11 of her last 13 matches. Her 516 digs match Luciana Reis (1993) for the third-most in a single season, while her 1,414 career digs rank second in program history. The New Orleans product won her second consecutive SEC Defensive Player of the Year award after headlining the SEC with 516 digs at a 4.96 per set ratio. She also carried the bulk of Tigers service receptions, and committed only 18 reception errors in 840 attempts for an impressive .979 percentage.
Cooper was key down the stretch for the Tigers registering double-digit kills in 10 of her last 11 outings, including a career-best 24 kills against No. 8 Florida (Oct. 24). She paced the LSU offense in conference play powering home 226 kills and ranked fifth connecting on a .343 attack percentage en route to an All-SEC First-Team selection. The Houston, Texas native also was strong on the defensive end tallying at least five blocks 11 times. She finished with 12 blocks against No. 8 Florida (Oct. 24).
LSU finished the season with an 18-10 record and made its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance under Flory. Eight of the Tigers nine returning letterwinners for the 2009 season appeared in at least 20 matches in 2008.