After six consecutive Southeastern Conference Western Division titles, it’s no surprise coaches have picked LSU to win yet another division championship.
The Tigers have appeared in six straight NCAA tournaments and will be led by senior middle blocker Michele Williams and sophomore middle blocker Desiree Elliott, both Preseason All-SEC coaches’ selections.
Senior libero Lauren Waclawczyk said she thinks LSU can be one of the best defensive teams in the nation.
“We have a lot of returners, and that’s where our base is going to be,” she said. “We’re working really hard and taking tons of reps, so I think we’re going to be very dominant in that on.”
Williams said the team is working hard to play with the same teamwork and speed exhibited by previous LSU teams.
“At first when you get here, some of the players have never played to this level of quickness, so we’re just trying to get everyone together,” she said.
With the abundant youth on the team, Flory said she will look to the juniors to step up their game.
“Successful teams have     successful junior classes,” she said. “If you look over the course of volleyball, teams that win national championships have junior classes that are very strong in leadership, very driven and very athletically load.”
Flory also said sophomore Nicole Willis could be lighting up the stat sheet, but her experience will be an obstacle at the beginning of the season.
The setter position will change from last season, as sophomore Shelby Pursley and freshman Malorie Pardo will both likely get playing time.
“Shelby Pursley is our returning setter, but she hasn’t really been in the fire yet,” Flory said.