LSU volleyball has racked up a 115-38 record to go along with the nation’s 11th best winning percentage and is one of only 20 programs nationally to collect five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances since 2005.
Under the direction of reigning SEC and AVCA South Coach of the Year Fran Flory, the Tigers took their championship tradition to the next level in 2009, not only claiming the program’s fifth straight SEC Western Division crown but LSU’s first overall SEC title since 1991.
Third in a four-part series previewing the upcoming season takes a glance at what LSU fans can expect from the Tiger setters this fall.
With the departure of All-SEC First-Team and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention performer Sam Dabbs, LSU will undeniably have a hole to fill in one of the most crucial position on the court.
The good news is senior Brittney Johnson has experience waiting in the wings and has distributed 835 assists during her first three seasons with the Tigers. Her athleticism and versatility offer LSU’s attack multiple looks on the front row. The Baton Rouge native proved able to run the offense efficiently in a 3-2 setback to No. 5 Stanford during the 2009 season opener while filling in for Dabbs.
2010 Preview: Defensive Specialists | Outside Hitters
Freshman Shelby Pursley joins the Tigers out of Winter Springs High School in Florida where she received two All-Central Florida First-Team picks and was named Seminole County Player of the Year in 2009. She also was chosen to PrepVolleyball.com’s Academic All-America First Team and was a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.
“Both Brittney and Shelby bring something unique to the table,” Flory said. “There’s no doubt that Brittney continues to improve for us and clearly understands the expectations that are required to be successful at the setter position on this level. Shelby is not only gifted as an athlete but is a tremendous student who owns a tremendous work ethic that will be a great addition for our program.”
LSU opens the 2010 season against Pacific, Siena and Texas A&M as part of the Texas A&M Invitational on Friday and Saturday. 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.