BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Angela Bensend and Desiree Elliott garnered All-SEC First-Team accolades Monday as announced by the league office. Elliott, an All-SEC Freshman pick as well, became the fifth player in program history to secure the SEC Freshman of the Year award, while Michele Williams picked up All-SEC Second-Team honors.
“We are very excited for and proud of Angela, Desiree and Michele to be recognized as All-SEC team members,” head coach Fran Flory said. “It’s a tribute to their work ethic and commitment to our program.”
LSU (25-4, 16-4 SEC) notched multiple selections on the All-SEC First Team for the fourth time in five seasons dating back to 2006. The six-time defending SEC Western Division champions also joined Florida and Tennessee as the only schools to have multiple players on this year’s first team.
Bensend belted a team-best 378 kills and her 3.74 per frame average ranked second in the SEC. She racked up 10 or more kills in 22 of 29 matches highlighted by a trio of 20-spike efforts. The Plano, Texas, product tallied nine double-doubles and LSU has won 34 of 37 matches over Bensend’s career when she reaches double figure kills. She also secured SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27.
“Angela has truly carried our team during several key matches this season,” Flory said. “She has performed like an all-conference first-team member all season. She’s the ultimate team player, and we’re extremely proud of her.”
Elliott won four SEC Freshmen of the Week throughout the season to become the first LSU freshmen since Leah Bennent (1981) to notch All-SEC First-Team honors. She reeled off a .300 hitting percentage or better in 19 of 29 matches, including 14 of her 20 SEC appearances. Elliott’s team-best 104 blocks at a 1. 07 per set rate and .337 hitting clip during league play ranked sixth and eight in the SEC, respectively.
“We knew Desiree was a special player,” Flory said. “She has already left her mark on our program and in the SEC. Being named the SEC Freshman of the Year and to the All-SEC First Team as a freshman is no small feat.”
Williams hammered home 326 kills and her 3.13 per frame average checked in at eight place in the SEC rankings. She popped double digit kills 18 times and attacked at over a .300 hitting ratio in 17 of 29 matches with her .309 mark just outside the SEC’s Top 10. The Magnolia, Texas, native also was second on the team with 89 blocks and garnered SEC Offensive Player of the Week back on Sept. 13.
“Michele is one of the most versatile players in our conference,” Flory said. “Her willingness to play a different role has made a tremendous impact on the success of our season. For Michele to be honored as one of the conference’s top players while playing that role is a true tribute to her athleticism and work ethic.”
LSU returns to action for the NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds this weekend. The Tigers are of only 18 programs nationally to qualify for the last six NCAA Tournaments and square off with Tulsa Friday at 5 p.m. inside Oklahoma’s McCasland FieldHouse as part of the NCAA Norman Regional.
Live video, a live audio webcast and live stats will be available on LSUsports.com in the Geaux Zone. Fans also can follow in-match updates on the team’s official blog at http://lsuvolleyball.posterous.com.
2010 SEC Awards
Player of the Year: Kelly Murphy, Florida
Libero of the Year: Stephanie Klefot, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Desiree Elliott, LSU
Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Lauren Rapp, Kentucky; Nikki Fowler, Tennessee
Coach of the Year: Mary Wise, Florida
All-SEC First Team
Lauren Bledsoe, Florida
Kelly Murphy, Florida
Callie Rivers, Florida
Lauren Rapp, Kentucky
Angela Bensend, LSU
Desiree Elliott, LSU
Regina Thomas, Ole Miss
Nikki Fowler, Tennessee
Kayla Jeter, Tennessee
All-SEC Second Team
Kayla Fitterer, Alabama
Jasmine Norton, Arkansas
Morgan Johns, Auburn
Cassandra Anderson, Florida
Kristy Jaeckel, Florida
Valentina Gonzalez, Georgia
Stephanie Klefot, Kentucky
Michele Williams, LSU
Ashley Newsome, Mississippi State
Leah Hinkey, Tennessee
SEC All-Freshmen Team
Raymariely Santos, Arkansas
Camila Jersonsky, Auburn
Chanel Brown, Florida
Whitney Billings, Kentucky
Desiree Elliott, LSU
Juliette Thevenin, South Carolina
Kelsey Robinson, Tennessee