LSU volleyball has garnered an impressive 140-44 mark and is one of 18 programs in the nation to secure six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances en route to the nation’s 11th-best winning percentage going back to the 2005 season.
A core group of returnees fueled by 2011 All-SEC Preseason performers Michele Williams and Desiree Elliott coupled with a top 20 recruiting class from PrepVolleyball.com has positioned the Tigers to continue their championship tradition by making a run at its unprecedented seventh straight SEC Western Division title and NCAA Tournament berth.
First in a four-part series previewing the upcoming season takes a glance at what LSU fans can expect from the Tiger outside hitters this fall.
BATON ROUGE – Junior Madie Jones is the lone upperclassmen and headlines a young group of gifted outside hitters. She broke into the starting lineup during the final 11 matches of the season and popped 10 of her 13 double digit kill performances in SEC play. Her 283 kills at a 2.64 per set ratio ranked third on the team in both categories.
Freshmen Helen Boyle and Avery Striebel also will compete for time on the outside. Boyle won a pair of 4A state championships while at St. Joseph’s Academy in Missouri and was a three-time 4A All-State First Team pick. She also claimed 2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year and participated at the 2010 USA Volleyball’s Women’s Junior A2 Program.
Coming off a medical redshirt, Striebel looks to show her talents after she picked up 2009 Carolina 3A Conference Player of the Year for Cardinal Gibbons High School in North Carolina. She also collected three state championships during her prep career.
“We’re pleased with Madie’s development,” head coach Fran Flory said. “We’ll rely upon her to do a lot for us this season, and I believe she can take that next step like Angela did for us last season to become an All-SEC caliber player. Both Avery and Helen know how to win. They have a enormous amount of shot-making ability and can make good things happen on the court.”
On the right side, Nicole Willis is looking to take the next step after seeing limited action as a freshman last season. The southpaw chipped in seven kills, eight digs and four blocks over 12 sets of action. She came away with three CAP All-Conference First-Team selections during her prep career at Needham Broughton High School in North Carolina.
Peska, a multiple All-District 5A-17 performer from Taylor High School in Texas, will be in the mix on the right side when not taking swings in the middle.
“We feel great about the progress that Nicole continues to make,” Flory said. “I’m confident she’s ready to step forward and rise to the challenges that are ahead.”
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 home mark since 2005.
For all of the latest information on LSU volleyball, log on to http://www.lsusports.net/volleyball or follow the program’s social media outlets at http://twitter.com/lsuvolleyball or LSU Volleyball on Facebook.