BATON ROUGE — Head coach Fran Flory and her coaching staff welcomed 13 student-athletes to campus Monday as the Tigers spent the afternoon meeting with the members of the academic, training, compliance and sports information staffs.
The four-time SEC Western Division champions are scheduled to open preseason camp and hit the practice court for the first time Tuesday morning.
“We’re excited to welcome the team back to campus,” Flory said. “Our team has done an outstanding job of preparing for a tremendous season. The leadership of our senior class throughout the spring and summer has this team ready for a season that promises to be successful. As a coach, it’s great to know that your team is prepared for the season before your first practice of camp.”
LSU has accumulated an impressive 90-31 record and its .744 winning percentage ranks 14th nationally during the four-year run.
The keys to the team’s ability to meet the high expectations from Flory starts with the returning arsenal highlighted by middle blockers Brittnee Cooper, Lauren DeGirolamo and Michele Williams along with outside hitter Marina Skender.
Together, LSU’s high octane quartet boasts 52 career accolades, including 2007 and 2008 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention status for both DeGirolamo and Cooper, respectively.
The Tigers also return setters Sam Dabbs and Brittney Johnson coupled with veteran outside hitter Angela Bensend, middle blocker Tania Schatow and defensive specialist Lauren Waclawczyk.
Between the eight returning players, the 2009 Tigers feature more than 2,500 kills, 1,700 assists, 1,100 blocks and 1,000 digs.
LSU has 12 matches scheduled against 2008 NCAA Tournament teams as the Tigers open the season against national runner-up Stanford followed by matches against Denver and host Notre Dame from Aug. 28-30 at the Shamrock Invitational.
LSU Volleyball Preseason Practice Schedule
Tuesday, August 11
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Thursday, August 13
2-6 p.m.
Friday, August 14
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Saturday, August 15
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Sunday, August 16
2-6 p.m.
Monday, August 17
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19
2-6 p.m.
Thursday, August 20
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Friday, August 21
8-11 a.m.
2-6 p.m.
Saturday, August 22
2-6 p.m.
Sunday, August 23
Off
Monday, August 24
1:30-5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25
1:30-5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26
1:30-5 p.m.
Thursday, August 27
Depart for Shamrock Invitational at Notre Dame