BATON ROUGE – The LSU volleyball team has surged into its second week of preseason camp and is geared up for Saturday’s Purple & Gold Scrimmage slated for 4:30 p.m. at the Maravich Center.
Admission to the scrimmage and all 2012 home matches are free compliments of the Advocate’s “Geaux Free” program. Prior to the scrimmage, the Tigers will instruct basic volleyball skills starting at 2 p.m. during a free kids clinic.
“We are really excited about having all of these kids with us leading into Saturday’s scrimmage,” head coach Fran Flory said. “We are going to get in some great training and teaching. Our players love teaching the game of volleyball to children. They love to be role models, and they love to represent LSU. It is one of my biggest deals of the year to have the chance to be on the court and have these kids love our sport. We are looking forward to an exciting afternoon.”
LSU has completed 15 workouts over the first nine days of preseason camp. Flory has been impressed with her team’s approach, focus and execution level.
“The point has been that we become very disciplined in our system and disciplined in taking care of the little things,” Flory said. “I think our players have done a great job and have grasped the concept on how to make the big picture be easy. It has been a nice and productive preseason camp to this point. We have accomplished our first goal and are really comfortable with ball control. We do not have the right passing combinations put together yet, but we will start putting those people together over these next couple of days.”
Malorie Pardo started in 27 matches en route to an All-SEC Freshman Team selection. She handed out 11.71 assists per set which ranked second in the SEC and ninth nationally. The League City, Texas, product put together a team-leading 11 double-doubles, also tops among SEC freshmen in 2011.
“Offensively, we have implemented a few twists to our offense,” Flory said. “Malorie, who certainly ran those twists last spring to an extent, has jumped right in the gym and is running it very well. I’m pretty excited about what we are going to be able to do.”
Flory has been pleased with how the five newcomers have already contributed and made an instant impact by elevating the level of competiveness during preseason camp.
“All five of them (Jackie Gerig, Khourtni Fears, Cati Leak, Katie Lindelow and Haley Smith) did not come into camp feeling things out or afraid because they were here all summer,” Flory said. “Leak brings a fun loving approach. She understands the pecking order, and she is the first to say I’ll do whatever it takes for this team to be successful. Lindelow is a winner, she plays with nothing to lose and always finds a way to score. The impact and height Khourtni is able to play with above the net is going to significant, while Haley’s ability to pick up our defensive system quickly has been impressive. Jackie has done a fantastic job adapting to this offense which is not easy to run. Each day she gets one more piece. She has challenged herself to get to that next level. It’s fun to watch her and all of them compete.”
LSU has strung together seven consecutive SEC Western Division titles highlighted by the overall league championship 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 since 2005.
For all of the latest news and information on LSU volleyball, visit www.lsusports.net/volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsuvolleyball along with @lsuvolleyball and @lsucoachfran on Twitter.
2012 LSU Volleyball Preseason Practice Schedule
Saturday, August 18
4:30 p.m. – Purple & Gold Scrimmage
Sunday, August 19
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Monday, August 20
2-5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 21
2-5 p.m.
Wednesday, August 22
2-5 p.m.
Thursday, August 23
Depart for Austin, Texas