It didn’t take Briana Holman much time to make a name for herself with the LSU volleyball team and the Southeastern Conference.
In her second week with the Tigers, the freshman middle blocker earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after a stellar performance in the Rice Invitational last weekend.
“Certainly, we’re extremely proud of Briana,” said LSU coach Fran Flory in a news release. “She was outstanding in all facets of the game and continues to develop as an amazing physical force for our team. There are times when she makes things look so easy out there on the floor.”
The Freshman of the Week honor — the first of Holman’s fledgling career — follows after the Texas native produced 3.90 kills per set on a .508 hitting percentage at the Rice Invitational, which was good enough for the tournament’s MVP crown. She also catapulted herself to No. 3 in the SEC rankings with 1.50 blocks per set.
“For her to perform the way she has through six matches has been a remarkable starting point for her career,” Flory said. “If Briana continues to work hard, she is in store for a memorable freshman season.”
Holman posted career-high-tying 15 kills and 10 blocks against Conference-USA favorite Rice. She is also the first player since former All-American Brittnee Cooper in 2009 to score a double-double in kills and blocks.
Holman has been a major contributor to LSU, drastically improving the Tigers blocking this season after finishing near the bottom in 2012. The Tigers now rank second in the SEC through the first two weeks of the regular season with 2.54 blocks per set.
The freshman also cracked the SEC’s top 20 in individual points scored with 3.35 per set. Holman trails sophomore Cati Leak — who leads the SEC in points — and senior Desiree Elliot for the team lead, with 5.27 and 3.50 points per set, respectively.
At the beginning of the season, Flory said Holman has the potential to become one of the best players LSU has ever seen. Holman’s teammates describe her as a physical specimen with her hard hits and ability to get high above the net.
Holman hits so hard, in fact, she concussed teammate Katie Lindelow with a ball during preseason practice despite Holman saying Lindelow was in position and ready for the shot.