LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory said on Tuesday she wouldn’t be surprised if swine flu hit her team at some point during the season.Little did she know one day later the Tigers would receive news senior setter Sam Dabbs had come down with the virus and will not be available to play in this weekend’s Shamrock Invitational in South Bend, Ind.Though Flory did not specifically say Dabbs has swine flu, Dabbs’ Facebook status Wednesday night said: “Swine Flu…. really? Alone in my condo, can’t go anywhere and I am missing my first tournament this weekend! what a day…””We certainly don’t want the kids to get sick but it is what it is,” Flory said. “We’re one team that will be affected, but many teams will probably be affected. It’s better to deal with it now, build antibodies to it and let it pass through our team before the conference schedule starts.”Flory may not be too concerned because opening weekend is generally a time to tweak lineups, but nothing will come easy for the Tigers without Dabbs, who played in 100 of the Tigers’ 104 sets last season. Replacing Dabbs will be junior setter Brittney Johnson, who also plays outside hitter for the Tigers.”Sam would’ve been setter Friday night, but the competition there has been real close,” Flory said. “Sam is a little bit more seasoned, but Brittney is more athletic, so you lose a little but gain a little.”Johnson and the Tigers will have to adjust to the lineup change this afternoon against No. 5 Stanford in the opening match of the tournament.The Cardinal are coming off a national runner-up season in 2008 and should prove to be a tough opponent for the veteran Tigers.The challenge doesn’t stop there, as the Tigers will face two-time defending Sun Belt Conference Western Division champs Denver, who went 25-6 last season, and tournament host Notre Dame, a senior-heavy team, during the weekend.”This tournament field is really tough,” Flory said. “For everybody in this tournament, it is a little bit of a play, get somebody on the other side of the court from you, and see where your strengths and weaknesses are. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”Though the Tigers will be without Dabbs, the match will mark the return of two seniors from ACL injuries.Middle blocker Lauren DeGirolamo will see her first action since Oct. 3, while outside hitter Marina Skender will play in her first match since the end of the 2007 season.Skender, a 2006 All-Southeastern Conference first team selection, said she is excited to get back on the court.”I had the spring to help me feel more comfortable, to come back and get some practice” Skender said. “The team was so supportive throughout the way, and I feel great.”There are also the three highly touted freshmen available to play this week — outside hitter Madie Jones, middle blocker Ally Judkins and defensive specialist Sam Delahoussaye. Freshman defensive specialist Meghan Mannari would likely play this weekend, but she is out with a knee injury.Flory was pleased with the play of Jones, Judkins and Delahoussaye in Saturday’s scrimmage and added all three should see some playing time this weekend.”Sam has proven herself to be able to handle the pressure in our gym,” Flory said. “Madie is going to be on the outside, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts because she’s earned the chance to do that with her play. She’s been playing like a seasoned veteran.”Flory said Judkins, a top-50 recruit from Jersey Village High School in Houston, will probably see some time at middle blocker, although the position is already filled by three upper classmen, including preseason All-SEC selection Brittnee Cooper.Judkins said she will be ready to go if Flory plays her this weekend.”I’m ready to see what gets thrown at me this weekend,” the freshman said. “I came here knowing it wasn’t going to be the same as high school where I was playing all the time. So I just try to be a good teammate and keep working hard.”—-Contact Andy Schwehm at [email protected]