BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU setter Malorie Pardo secured SEC Freshman of the Week honors Monday as announced by the league office. For Pardo, it’s the second time this season she has earned the weekly award from the SEC.
“Malorie continues to exceed the expectations we place on her at the setter position,” head coach Fran Flory said. “She had a magnificent weekend and played an instrumental role during our two wins last weekend. As the first half of the conference schedule finishes, Malorie’s performance has played a major role to the Tigers being on top of the SEC Western Division. We’ll need her to continue to play at this high level for our team to accomplish our goals for the season.”
Pardo turned in a pair of strong all-around efforts as LSU notched consecutive four-set victories over Georgia and Auburn last weekend. She racked up averages of 13.00 assists, 2.38 digs, 0.62 blocks and 0.38 aces per set.
Pardo fueled LSU’s offense to a .402 hitting percentage versus Georgia, the team’s best effort since the season’s opening weekend. She dished out 49 assists and enabled a quartet of Tigers to reach double figure kills. The League City, Texas, native collected her team-leading seventh double-double of 2011 with a 55-assist and 10-dig effort against Auburn.
LSU continues its four-match homestand Friday and squares off with Alabama for the second time this season. First serve is on-tap for 7 p.m. inside the Maravich Center, and the match will be carried live on KLSU 91.1 FM in the Baton Rouge area.
Live video and live stats also are offered inside the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net. In-match updates also are available via the program’s social media outlets at http://twitter.com/lsuvolleyball or LSU Volleyball on Facebook.
The Alabama match marks the third of four Friday Night Meal Deals featuring shrimp etouffee served over rice with sides of broccoli and cauliflower. The meal is available for $7 starting at 6 p.m. inside the Courtside Club located at the Northwest Corridor entrance of the arena. Fans can reserve the meal in advance by emailing promotions@lsu.edu or by contacting Katie at (225) 578-5050.
Friday’s match also is the inaugural “Rock the PMAC” event where LSU’s drum line will perform during intermission. The first 500 fans will receive a commemorative drumstick.
For every home match, LSU volleyball will be collecting books as part of its season-long book drive to benefit the Everybody Reads Program through Volunteer in Public Schools. Fans are asked to bring new or used elementary level books to help local students.