LSU coach Fran Flory said freshman middle blocker Michele Williams has one of the fastest arm swings in the country. Don’t believe it? Williams once gave a concussion to another player when she spiked the ball and hit the player’s forehead. “Michele jumped up and hit it, and their middle blocker was turning around to look at the ball, and it hit her right in the forehead and basically knocked her out and gave her a concussion,” said Williams’ high school coach Terri Johnson. Johnson said Williams checked on the girl after the match because she is a “caring person,” but she has always been a “killer” on the court.  She has shown how much she cares about her team recently by helping the Tigers build a killing mentality.The Tigers are averaging more than nine more kills per match since Williams entered the lineup for injured junior middle blocker Lauren DeGirolamo. “Michele is a very impressive offensive player,” Flory said. “She’s not afraid to take the big swing. She’s not going to hold back, and that’s freed up a couple of the other players to think, ‘Well, if she’s doing it, then I can do it.'” Her serving has also been a valuable asset to the Tigers. The Magnolia, Texas native has 21 aces, landing her second on the team behind senior outside hitter Kyna Washington’s 26. “She’s been amazing,” said senior libero Elena Martinez. “Every time she serves, we make a run. We are really excited to have her doing so well.” Williams credits assistant coaches Steve Loeswick and Jill Wilson for helping her with her serving. “We’ve been working on our serves a lot,” Williams said. “They keep on telling me to toss it out in front because I like to overrun the ball when I serve, but if I keep it out in front, then it floats a lot more.” Before coming to LSU, Williams picked up numerous accolades throughout her four years as a starter for Magnolia High School in Texas, including two-time PrepVolleyball.com high school All-America honors. She was also ranked No. 34 on PrepVolleyball.com’s recruiting list.It’s no surprise she was recruited by many big college programs, including Texas and Florida. Flory said one of the reasons Williams chose LSU was because of her ties to Baton Rouge. “Her grandparents live here,” Flory said. “She grew up coming to LSU games. From the start, we had mutual interests.”Williams joined the Tigers in the spring 2008 after graduating high school a semester early.Williams said this was an advantage for her because she got used to going to college and learning time management. She also was able to be with the team.”I got used to the team,” she said. “When I came out on the court, I wasn’t as nervous or scared as a freshman would normally be.”Despite Williams’ youth, Flory isn’t shocked by Williams’ success.”We’re not surprised about what she can do,” Flory said. “But I am a little surprised about how effective she is in the middle. I’m thrilled that she is. Losing [Lauren DeGirolamo] was a huge problem, but she’s filled those shoes very well. “She’s making a name and a sport for herself in the future of our program.”
 
 
 
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