BATON ROUGE – The LSU volleyball team opens its spring season with four tough matches Saturday at the Texas Pride Inaugural Collegiate Invitational in Houston.
The six time defending SEC Western Division champions have morning tilts with 2010 NCAA Tournament participants Oklahoma and Wichita State before facing off with Houston and Texas A&M during the afternoon session.
“The spring is the launching pad for our upcoming fall season,” head coach Fran Flory said. “We’ve had a very successful training period and look forward to seeing how those things taught during practice translate in competition. With a number of young players stepping into key roles, the experience we’ll be able to gain starting this weekend will be the determining factor for how successful we’ll be in 2011.”
LSU returns 11 letterwinners from a team that turned in a 25-5 record highlighted by AVCA All-South Region Honorable Mention pick Michele Williams and All-SEC First-Team performer Desiree Elliott. The Tigers also are one of only 18 programs nationally to qualify for the last six NCAA Tournaments dating back to the 2005 season.
All matches will be held at Slaters Sports Zone located at 727 Plantation Drive. Admission for the event is $8 and doors open at 7:30 a.m.
Texas Pride Collegiate Invitational Schedule
8:30 a.m. – LSU vs. Oklahoma
10:50 a.m. – LSU vs. Wichita State
1:10 p.m. – LSU vs. Houston
3:30 p.m. – LSU vs. Texas A&M