The 2010 season was another successful campaign for the LSU volleyball team.
 
The Tigers capped off the regular season by winning a share of their sixth consecutive Southeastern Conference Western Division championship.
 
With the SEC West crown, LSU garnered the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament and were paired with Tulsa in the first round. LSU one of 18 programs nationally to qualify for the last six NCAA Tournaments.
 
The Tigers were swept by the Golden Hurricanes (20-25, 15-25, 18-25) Friday night.
 
Though the invitation to the tournament is the goal of every team going into the season, the invitation is far from the highlight of the Tigers’ year.
 
LSU won its first 13 matches of the season — a school record — and did not lose until it faced then-No. 2 Florida on the road in Gainesville.
 
“We knew it was a big weekend, and we wanted to come out strong,” said junior libero Lauren Waclawczyk following the record-breaking win. “Our cohesiveness is flowing right now, and the wins are coming to us. It’s a great feeling for us. All the hard work we’ve put in is really paying off for us.”
 
But the real surprise to the season has been the emergence of freshman middle blocker Desiree Elliott.
 
Elliott won four SEC Freshman of the Week awards, was honored with the SEC Freshman of the Year award and was recently named to the First-Team All-SEC squad. She averaged a .337 hitting percentage in conference play while recording a team high 104 blocks.
 
The Cypress, Texas, native is the fifth player in LSU history to take home the SEC Freshman of the Year award.
 
“We knew Desiree was a special player,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “She has already left her mark on our program and the SEC. Being named the SEC Freshman of the Year and the All-SEC First Team as a freshman is no small feat.”
 
The Tigers also had two more team members join Elliott on the All-SEC Team. Senior outside hitter Angela Bensend also received First Team honors and senior middle blocker Michele Williams was named to the Second Team.
 
Bensend lead the team with 378 kills, averaging 3.74 per set, and racked up double-digit kills in 22 of the team’s 29 matches, including three matches in which she reached the 20-kill mark.
 
“Angela has truly carried our team during several key matches this season,” Flory said. “She has performed like an all-conference first-team member all season. She’s the ultimate team player, and we’re extremely proud of her.”
 
Williams knocked down 313 balls this season, giving her an average of 3.13 per frame. She was also second on the team in blocks with 89, hit for over a .300 percentage in 17 of 29 matches and was named the SEC Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 13.
 
“Michele is one of the most versatile players in the conference,” Flory said. “Her willingness to play a different role has made a tremendous impact on the success of our season. For Michele to be honored as one of the conference’s top players while playing that role is a true attribute to her athleticism and work ethic.”
 
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Contact Rob Landry at
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