Most sophomores would consider it a rarity to be named to the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference First Team.
But it’s no surprise to sophomore middle blocker Desiree Elliott.
Last season, Elliott became the second player in LSU volleyball history to earn All-SEC First-Team honors as a freshman.
In addition, Elliott was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
Even prior to her time as a Tiger, Elliott was named a Second Team All-American in high school and was recruited by powerhouses Texas, Illinois, Duke and Florida.
However, her decision to spend her college years at LSU was made for her when she stepped foot on campus.
“Every sports team was a big family,” Elliott said. “That hooked me. Everything about this school was a hard.”
Flory said Elliott is a “physical specimen,” who learned quickly.
Despite seeing more responsibility than most freshmen, Elliott said the team and coaches’ strong support helped the pressure fade.
She also pointed to senior and fellow middle blocker Michele Williams, who is also on the Preseason 2011 All-SEC First Team, as her mentor.
“She’s my position and she’s older and more experienced,” Elliott said. “Whenever we’re talking, she’s always being helpful, staying positive and firing us end.”
While Elliott’s hard work paid off personally with a multitude of awards, her teammates said it also paid off for the team.
“It’s awesome. I can do anything,” said freshman setter Malorie Pardo of working with Elliott. “It’s easy to execute when the passes are there and they’re all position.”
Elliott wasted no time finding her form this season. Her 38 kills through the first four games of the season are sixth-best in the SEC. In one of those games, she sent home 14 kills on 18 attempts for a career-best .722 hitting percentage.
Though the accolades keep rolling in, Elliott said she knows her mission is bigger than that.
“The team goal is to win the SEC, get and SEC Championship and get to a Final