BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU junior middle blocker Michele Williams was selected to the 2010 Preseason All-SEC Volleyball Team Tuesday as announced by the league office. The Tigers have been represented in each of the first four seasons on the team, which is voted upon by the conference’s coaches.
Williams, a 2008 All-SEC Freshman and 2009 All-Louisiana Second-Team pick, is one of 10 student-athletes from across the league to garner a spot on the squad. She has powered home 425 kills and registered 174 blocks at a 0.96 per set ratio in 54 matches during her first two seasons.
“We’re very excited that Michele has been recognized by the SEC coaches for her dynamic play,” head coach Fran Flory said. “She has played at a consistent level in all facets of the game and been an instrumental part to our program’s success during her first two seasons. I think she’s ready to be a focal part of our team heading into her junior season and take her game to the next level.”
Williams notched nine double-digit kill performances last season highlighted by a 14-kill effort against No. 5 Stanford en route to Shamrock Invitational MVP honors. She recorded five or more blocks in 14 matches and her 1.15 per set average was fifth in the SEC. The Magnolia, Texas native also cranked 30 aces to rank fourth in the SEC during the 2009 campaign.
Under Flory, LSU is one of only 20 programs to appear in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments. The Tigers open the 2010 season with Pacific, Siena and Texas A&M on August 27-28 as part of the Texas A&M Invitational.
Season tickets for the defending SEC champions are on-sale now at www.lsutix.net starting at $40 for adults and $25 for youth ages 3-12.
For all of the latest information on Tiger volleyball, log on to http://www.lsusports.net/volleyball, follow the program’s twitter page at http://twitter.com/lsuvolleyball and check out the team’s official blog at http://lsuvolleyball.posterous.com.
2010 Preseason All-SEC Team
Player, School, Position, Height, Class, Hometown
Nikki Fowler, Tennessee, OH, 6-2, Sr., Dallas, Texas
Valentina Gonzalez, Georgia, MB, 6-0, Sr., Monterrey, Mexico
Kristy Jaeckel, Florida, OH, 6-2, Jr., Littleton, Colo.
Kayla Jeter, Tennessee, OH, 5-11, Jr., Solon, Ohio
Alyssa Meuth, Alabama, RS, 6-0, Sr., Helotes, Texas
Kelly Murphy, Florida, S/RS, 6-2, Jr., Wilmington, Ill.
Jasmine Norton, Arkansas, OH, 5-10, So., Rowlett, Texas
Becky Pavan, Kentucky, MB, 6-4, Jr., Kitchener, Ontario
Lauren Rapp, Kentucky, RS, 6-3, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.
Michele Williams, LSU, MB, 6-2, Jr., Magnolia, Texas