BIRMINGHAM, Ala – LSU middle blockers Desiree Elliott and Michele Williams were tabbed to the 2011 Preseason All-SEC Volleyball Team Tuesday as announced by the league office. The Tigers have been represented in each of the first five seasons on the squad, which is voted upon by the SEC’s coaches.
The duo combined to blast 600 kills, which accounted for 39 percent of LSU’s offense in 2010. They also teamed up for 199 blocks to fuel the Tiger front row. The Tigers joined Florida and Kentucky as the only schools to have two players chosen to the team.
“We’re extremely pleased that Desiree and Michele have been recognized by the SEC coaches for their spectacular play,” head coach Fran Flory said. “They were a major part of our program’s success last season, and we’ll be counting on their talents once again to reach our goals this season. Each brings a unique quality to our offense and play at a consistent level in all facets of the game.”
Elliott belted 266 kills with 10 of her 13 double digit spike performances coming during conference action to claim an All-SEC First Team selection and SEC Freshman of the Year award. She also registered a .337 hitting percentage, first among freshmen and seventh overall, in SEC action. The Cypress, Texas, native garnered a team-best 109 blocks, while her 1.02 blocks per set were 10th in the SEC.
Williams hammered 334 kills and totaled 90 blocks to rank second on the team in both categories. Her 3.12 kills per set were eighth in the SEC as Williams took home All-SEC Second-Team honors and garnered AVCA All-South Region Honorable Mention status. The Magnolia, Texas, native connected for a team-best .303 hitting clip and tallied 13 of her 18 double figure kills efforts versus SEC opponents.
LSU has secured six consecutive SEC Western Division titles highlighted by the league’s overall championship in 2009 and racked up an impressive 140-44 mark dating back to the 2005 season. The Tigers also are one of 18 programs nationally to collect six straight NCAA Tournament appearances en route to the nation’s 11th-best winning percentage during their six-year run.
LSU plays host to its annual Purple & Gold Scrimmage Saturday at 7 p.m. before the Tigers open the regular season by welcoming Alcorn State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Jacksonville State and 2010 NCAA Tournament participant Miami, Fla. to the Maravich Center for the Tiger Classic on Aug. 26-27.
Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the Geaux Free program for all home matches this season compliments of The Advocate. The Tigers have compiled a 62-10 mark at home since 2005.
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2011 Preseason All-SEC Team
Player, School, Position, Height, Class, Hometown
Kayla Fitterer, Alabama, OH, 6-4, Jr., Edwardsville, Ill.
Jasmine Norton, Arkansas, OH, 5-10, Jr., Rowlett, Texas
Kristy Jaeckel, Florida, OH, 6-2, Sr., Littleton, Colo.
Kelly Murphy, Florida, S/RS, 6-2, Sr., Wilmington, Ill.
Becky Pavan, Kentucky, MB, 6-4, Sr., Kitchener, Ontario
Stephanie Klefot, Kentucky, DS/L, 5-6, Jr., Louisville, Ky.
Desiree Elliott, LSU, MB, 6-0, So., Cypress, Texas
Michele Williams, LSU, MB, 6-2, Sr., Magnolia, Texas
Regina Thomas, Ole Miss, MB, 6-0, R-Sr., Richardson, Texas
Kayla Jeter, Tennessee, OH, 5-11, Sr., Solon, Ohio