BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU outside hitter Helen Boyle came away with SEC Freshman of the Week honors Monday as announced by the league office. For Boyle, it’s her first career weekly award from the SEC. It also marked the fourth time in 2011 that a LSU player has secured the SEC’s Freshman weekly award.
“Helen was truly a difference maker during our two big road wins over the weekend,” head coach Fran Flory said. “She took a lot of critical swings in and out of system especially late in sets. It says a lot about her competitive drive and her ability to make those types of plays as a freshman. We’re excited to see Helen continue to develop and finish her freshman season on a strong note.”
Boyle recorded back-to-back double-doubles to lift LSU back into the top spot of the SEC Western Division race. Playing all six rotations, she compiled 3.22 kills, 3.02 digs and 0.38 blocks per set. The Eureka, Mo., native also connected for an impressive .377 hitting percentage for the weekend.
Boyle terminated a career-best 18 kills on a crisp .405 hitting clip and tacked on 18 digs during LSU’s 3-1 victory at Auburn. She also was a perfect 26-for-26 in passing attempts. With the match even at one set apiece, Boyle heated up for eight spikes to vault the Tigers to a crucial 27-25 set three triumph. Her previous career-best of 16 kills came during opening weekend versus Miami.
Boyle garnered 11 kills and 10 digs in LSU’s thrilling 3-2 victory at Georgia where the Tigers erased six match points during the fifth set. She saved her best effort for the deciding frame and connected for three kills on four swings, including the match-clincher on an out-of-system play to beat UGA’s double block attempt.
LSU returns home Friday to face No. 17 Florida for Senior Night. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. inside the Maravich Center. Admission is free courtesy of the Advocate’s Geaux Free program. After the match, the Tigers will honor Lauren Waclawczyk and Michele Williams for their contributions to the program.
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. KLSU 91.1 FM will carry the match live in the Baton Rouge area.
The Florida contest marks the final of four Friday Night Meal Deals featuring broiled Fish, rice pilaf and ratatouille. 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.
For every home match, LSU volleyball will be collecting books as part of its season-long book drive, “Geaux Books”, 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.