BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Desiree Elliott, Madie Jones and Meghan Mannari garnered All-SEC Second Team accolades Monday as announced by the league office. The trio was joined by Helen Boyle and Malorie Pardo, who also picked up All-SEC Freshman Team honors.
It marked the first time in program history that LSU had five different players secure SEC honors.
“We’re extremely appreciative that the SEC coaches acknowledged and recognized the impact these five players had not only on our program, but the impact they had on our conference,” head coach Fran Flory said. “We know our program didn’t reach all of our goals this season, but the future is bright for LSU volleyball with all five of these players returning for the 2012 season.”
Elliott powered home 10 or more kills in 24 of 28 outings. She connected for 3.40 kills per set, seventh in the SEC and tops among middle blockers. A 2011 All-SEC Preseason Team pick, Elliott also recorded a team-best 102 blocks highlighted by 37 stuffs during her last eight matches.
Jones ripped double figure spikes in 20 of 28 matches. She posted a team-best 3.55 kills per set to rank sixth on the SEC leaderboard along with a team-high .278 hitting percentage. Jones came away with a quartet of 20-plus spike performances.
Mannari racked up 518 digs, the third-highest season total in program history. Her 4.67 scoops per set were second in the SEC sparked by a conference-leading 4.88 digs per set during league matches. The three-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week also slapped 38 aces and her 0.34 per set clip was fourth among the SEC leaders.
“Madie had a tremendous year and matured into a true force on the outside,” Flory said. “She took so many big swings at critical times for our team. Meghan developed into one of the best defenders in the SEC. She had a knack for making the big save and was an anchor for our back row group. Desiree continued her impactful play after a stellar freshman season and became a stabilizing force that we could count on in the middle.”
Boyle collected 2.06 kills and 2.96 digs per set. She tallied five of her nine double figure kill performances during the last 10 matches of the season. Her 2.96 digs per set and seven double-doubles were second on the team.
Pardo handed out 11.71 assists per set, ninth-best in program history for a single season. The 11.71 helpers per frame also were second in the SEC and among the Top 15 nationally. The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week also racked up a team-leading 11 double-doubles.
“Helen and Malorie also were a big part to our program’s success,” Flory said. “The ability for Malorie to step in as a freshman setter in a very complicated offense right away is unparalleled. Helen’s mark was felt in all facets of the game as a six-rotation player. She carried a huge load especially passing and playing defense. We’re looking forward to seeing how these players will continue to grow and develop during the offseason.”
LSU has captured seven consecutive SEC Western Division ti¬tles highlighted by the league’s overall crown in 2009. It’s the second longest streak in SEC history only behind Florida’s 14-year run on top of the SEC’s Eastern Division from 1995-2008.
The Tigers have garnered a 159-55 record, secured six NCAA Tournament appearances and notched 24 All-SEC selections dating back to 2005.
2011 SEC Volleyball Awards
Player of the Year: Kelsey Robinson, Tennessee
Libero of the Year: Stephanie Klefot, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Mary Pollmiller, Tennessee
Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Ann Armes, Kentucky; Kristy Jaeckel, Florida
Coach of the Year: Rob Patrick, Tennessee
First Team All-SEC
Jasmine Norton, Arkansas
Kristy Jaeckel, Florida
Kelly Murphy, Florida
Whitney Billings, Kentucky
Christine Hartmann, Kentucky
Stephanie Klefot, Kentucky
Leslie Cikra, Tennessee
DeeDee Harrison, Tennessee
Kelsey Robinson, Tennessee
Second Team All-SEC
Kelli Stipanovich, Arkansas
Tangerine Wiggs, Florida
Desiree Elliott, LSU
Madie Jones, LSU
Meghan Mannari, LSU
Ashley Frazier, Kentucky
Regina Thomas, Ole Miss
Caitlin Rance, Mississippi State
Tiffany Baker, Tennessee
Mary Pollmiller, Tennessee
All-Freshmen Team
Taylor Unroe, Florida
Lauren O’Conner, Kentucky
Helen Boyle, LSU
Malorie Pardo, LSU
Lainey Wyman, Mississippi State
Tiffany Baker, Tennessee
Mary Pollmiller, Tennessee