Volleyball Voices

NCAA College Volleyball Pictures: Alex Cena Shoots at the Patriot League Finals

Alex Cena college volleyball pictures taken during NCAA volleyball Patriot League Volleyball Championships. 

The defending champions American University Eagles lost 3-0 to the Army Black Knights, earning the Army Black Knights their first bid (ever) to the NCAA Tournament. 

 Photo Credit: Alex Cena / Southcreek Global

 

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About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

College Volleyball News: Destinee Hooker, Volleyball Magazine Co-Player of the Year

College Volleyball News:

Texas Volleyball: Trio earns Volleyball Magazine All-America honors, 

Destinee Hooker Co-Player of the Year

Destinee Hooker earns co-player of the year honors, while Ashley Engle and Juliann Faucette garner All-America honors.

AUSTIN, Texas – Three Texas Volleyball players were named to the Volleyball Magazine All-America Teams and senior outside hitter Destinee Hooker claimed co-player of the year honors with Penn State’s Megan Hodge in the publication’s February issue.

 

Hooker and senior setter/opposite hitter Ashley Engle earned places on the first team for the second straight season, while Engle earned her third first-team nod of her career (2006, 2008-09). Junior outside/opposite hitter Juliann Faucette earned a spot on the second team, earning her second career honor after garnering first-team accolades in 2007.

 

Following the 2009 season, all three players were named AVCA All-America selections, with Hooker and Engle earning first-team honors and Faucette landing on the third team.

 

Engle, a Yorba Linda, Calif, native earned first-team honors in addition to her AVCA All-Central Region First Team and All-Big 12 First Team accolades. The senior shined as a setter and hitter in 2009, posting 8.76 assists, 1.87 kills, 2.04 digs and 0.59 blocks per-set. Her .344 attack mark ranked fourth in the Big 12.

 

In 2009, Hooker was named a Honda Award Finalist, AVCA All-Central Region First Team and All-Big 12 First Team. She also earned Big 12 Player of the Year, NCAA Championship and NCAA Omaha Regional Most Outstanding Player honors. Hooker’s 6.09 points per-set ranked No. 1 in the NCAA, while her 5.06 kills per-set ranked fourth nationally. The senior hit .358 on the season, ranking second in the Big 12 and tops among all outside hitters.

 

Faucette, a San Diego, Calif. native landed on the second team after earning AVCA All-Central Region First Team and All-Big 12 First Team accolades. She averaged 3.17 kills, 1.46 digs and 0.71 blocks per-set during her junior campaign. Faucette hit .284 on the season and her hitting percentage ballooned to .316 after moving to opposite hitter.

Texas (29-2) ended its season in the NCAA Championship with a 3-2 loss to No. 1 Penn State, marking the Horns’ first trip to the championship match since 1995. The Longhorns concluded the year ranked second in the AVCA Coaches Poll.

 

 

 

April Chapple is a fan of

Volleyball Voices Fan Page

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About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

Volleyball Training and Drills On The Net: University of Beach Volleyball, Volleyball 1on1 and Beverly Oden on About.com

Volleyball Training and Drills On The Net: 

University of Beach Volleyball, Volleyball 1on1 and Beverly Oden on About.com

So with the ever-growing popularity of beach volleyball and the indoor volleyball game in the US, (the world is way ahead of us...) there seems to be an increasing amount of teachers and experts coaching the game. 

For me it's a lot of fun to listen to and learn from people who really know what they are talking about.

Beach Volleyball Training Advice

I just checked out the University of Beach Volleyball's training video, the ninth one out of ten.

I still have to check out the first eight but the volleyball training advice in this one made since to me. 

Basically the message is to focus on your technique in volleyball practice and not just concentrate on the "end result". 

Check it...you can kick a ball over the net and get the ball to land where you want it to three or four times in practice, but what is the proper technique you need to learn and apply so you can rely on getting the volleyball to the same open spot eight out of ten or 18 out of 20 times during a volleyball game?

Another beach volleyball training tip they give is for players to learn to establish volleyball training goals so they apply to beach game-like situations. 

Ask yourself..."is it important for you to get into good shape? Or is it more important to become a better beach volleyball player?" Good stuff. 

When you see who's on the University of Beach Volleyball advisory board then you'll understand why their beach volleyball tips make sense. 

Volleyball Video Training with the Pros at Volleyball 1on1.com

Volleyball 1on1 reports:

Volleyball ranks #1 amongst all participation sports with reportedly over 800 million worldwide. However, for recreational and competitive players alike, there are limited resources available to quickly improve one's game.

According to former NCAA volleyball champion Andor Gyulai (UCLA '98)

"Players often learn the sport of volleyball from teacher-coaches in school and seldom have access to quality coaching beyond their local area, yet it's imperative to receive high level instruction in order to progressively improve one's game," 

"Learning the sport and all of its little nuances from those who have lived and breathed volleyball in the trenches for several years expedites the learning curve and yields quicker results than just playing or attending camps." 

The complete lineup of video instructors, video content, volleyball-related products and subscription options can be viewed directly on volleyball1on1 online at www.volleyball1on1.com.

Beverly Oden the Volleyball Guide on About.com

USA Volleyball Olympian, volleyball journalist and volleyball guide on About.com

Beverly Oden has posted some new volleyball drills this week that volleyball recruits 

and players of all ages should check out. 

Beverly recommends to volleyball coaches "to improve hitting, place your players in 

situations that are much tougher than in a match."  

This week Beverly has added three hitting drills:

Three on Three Front Row Attack Drill

Block and Hit Drill

and Hitter vs. Hitter Drill where opposing front row players compete against each 

other. Check out more spiking drills in the volleyball hitting drill hub.  

 

April Chapple is a fan of

Volleyball Voices Fan Page

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About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

Girls Volleyball Picture Galleries: Gilbert High School Volleyball Arizona Pics from AZ Dew on Flickr

Girls Volleyball Pictures from AZDEW on flickr.

April Chapple is a fan of

Volleyball Voices Fan Page

Create your Fan Badge

About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

Volleyball News On the Net: 2010 College Volleyball Recruits Signings and Video

Volleyball News On the Net: 2010 College Volleyball Recruits: Signings and Video

Williams Baptist College Volleyball Team signs junior college volleyball recruit  Hayley Motley

Eric Newell, Williams Baptist College Head Volleyball Coach describes Haley as...

“Haley has tremendous athleticism and outstanding jumping ability and will be relied on heavily for her offensive skills as a middle hitter,” 

Carroll College Volleyball team signs Havre High School volleyball recruit Karla Hellegaard

What head volleyball coach Moe Boyle says about Karla: "She fits the description of the type of quality student athletes that we are looking for here at Carroll College," 

Western Wyoming Community College signs a letter of intent with 5'11 outside hitter volleyball recruit from Idaho Falls, Susan Lindley. 

Coach Rick Reynolds says " "Susan is a great person and competitor who brings some versatility to our outside hitter positions,"

Volleyball Recruits YouTube Videos

I still don't know how effective it is to put a volleyball recruits video on YouTube. 

I would love to find out and if anyone has positive feedback on being signed for a college volleyball scholarship because of a recruiting video that a college coach found on Youtube please let me know. 

No judgement call I'm just trying to find out if it really is effective. 

Having said that when I run across the ones I find interesting I like to share the information. I don't know these players or families and they may have already been signed but if I like some aspect of how the volleyball recruit plays on the court or how the video was even put together,  I'll mention it here. 

I love the blue arrow on this volleyball video of college volleyball recruit Kaitlin Russell 2010 senior at Regina Dominican High School. 

College Volleyball Videos for Volleyball Recruits

Benefits of playing volleyball at Berry College

The Berry College volleyball team has put together a three-minute video  for volleyball recruits that introduces the benefits of playing on that team and discusses the characteristics of what types of student-athletes would best fit. 

Questions from Parents and Friends of Volleyball Recruits 

The College Volleyball Coach answered this NCAA Clearinghouse question below...

"Since turning 14 years old have you practiced or played with any women's volleyball team other than a U.S. High School team?"

April Chapple is a fan of

Volleyball Voices Fan Page

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About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

College Volleyball News: Kentucky Volleyball Player Laura Stokowski Says "See Ya" To Senior Season

University of Kentucky College Volleyball News

Stokowski will Graduate and Forego Senior Season

Defensive specialist will graduate in three years with a degree in business

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior defensive specialist Laura Stokowski announced Thursday she intends to graduate with a degree in business in May of 2010 and forego her senior season.

 

“Laura has been a great player for Kentucky volleyball and she will be missed,” Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said.  “For three years she has given her all to improving herself and this program. She is an impressive person, and we are excited for her that she is graduating and moving on to graduate school.  There will always be a piece of her with us, and she will always be a part of the Kentucky volleyball family.”

 

Stokowski, a three-year letterwinner for the UK volleyball team, has garnered enough credits and will earn her degree in three years this May. She has opted to not play in her final season of eligibility this fall and instead enroll in graduate school.

“I have made many wonderful memories and friends at Kentucky,” Stokowski said. “I want to thank Coach Skinner and the volleyball staff for giving me an opportunity to achieve my goals of graduating from UK in three years, and contributing to the success of one of the top volleyball programs in the country. I will truly miss Kentucky, my teammates, coaches and the staff. I wish them continued success in the future.”

An Aurora, Ill., native Stokowski holds a 3.44 grade point average and has twice been named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSida Academic All-District team. She is also a three-time member of the All-SEC Academic team.

 

Stokowski has played in nearly 100 matches in her three seasons with the Blue and White. She has charted over 500 digs in her career from her defensive specialist position. For her career she notched 12 matches with 10 or more scoops and led the team in digs on three occasions. She had a career-high 17-dig performance in a 2009 victory over Northwestern.

 

The junior appeared in three NCAA Tournaments and helped the Wildcats to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in her junior campaign. In three seasons, Stokowski was a member of a team that garnered a 77-21 record.

 

Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information regarding the UK volleyball team.

About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

College Volleyball Pictures: Luomen Shoots NCAA Volleyball Action: Hawaii, Stanford, Michigan

Luomen on Flickr photographs college volleyball pictures 

during NCAA volleyball action.

Check out Hawaii, Stanford, and Michigan in action. 

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

Volleyball News On the Net: College Volleyball Training, Sand Volleyball, Being A Dinosaur And 10 Thoughts from Russ Rose

College Volleyball Training, Sand Volleyball, Being A Dinosaur And 

10 Thoughts from Russ Rose

Three-time NCAA Women's Volleyball Champion Russ Rose gives his thoughts on on a range 

of questions with subjects ranging from what he thinks about the 

emergence and override of sand volleyball in college to what it's like being a dinosaur.

Volleyball News On the Net

According to Ryan Spoon on the athlete network and recruiting platform berecruited.com,

college volleyball coaches were the most active participants on the site, which contributed 

to "a growth in activity in women's college sports in 2009."

“I thought we went about as far as we could in the tournament,” Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert said. “Destinee Hooker and those kids [at Texas] are athletes that are beyond the normal team in Division I college volleyball.”

Accompanying his article with a great volleyball action picture shot by Ian Larson and an 

interview with head volleyball coach Mike Hebert, Keith Beise chronicles the

Minnesota Gophers women's volleyball team's rise to the #4 ranking in the nation.

What the College Volleyball Coach said...

I love this blog and I would recommend it to all volleyball parents to read. I'm still trying to 

figure out who it is, but I do know we agree on a lot of the same recruiting principles. This week the College 

Volleyball Coach answers a great question about whether freshmen high school volleyball players

can contact a college coach.

Okay now for college sand volleyball in Alaska. 

 

Russ may not be a fan but the women's volleyball department at the University of 

Alaska-Anchorage thinks that the addition of sand volleyball in college is a good thing. 

It never fails to amaze me that in many situations or 'discussions" 

such as these the seemingly "most disadvantaged" are oftern the ones more likely to 

envision the bigger picture. Okay I'll ask, just like the question was asked in the 

article...would you go to Alaska to play beach volleyball?

I don't know if there are any volleyball athletes in this new photography book, although in 

photographer Rick Rickman's interview he states "on the East Coast, you find a lot of people 

who play hockey. On the West Coast you find surfers and volleyball players.  It's different 

sports, but similar intensity." 

As a former professional photographer and "mature" (lol) retired pro volleyball athlete, 

I can appreciate the spirit with which the action took place both behind the camera and

in front of the lens. For me it's the perfect combination. Regardless of your age, maybe 

you'll find an image that inspires you.

Volleyball Video

Chad Convis presents a great new concept in volleyball video instruction by top 

volleyball coaches and pros presented at volleyball1on1.com.

College Volleyball Pictures

Earlier this week I blogged about this college volleyball picture gallery on flickr shot by 

photographer Ryan Bagley of the Brigham Young Women's Volleyball Team in action. 

It's his point of view that makes him stand out from the competition.

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

High School Girls Volleyball Pictures

I also spotted this high school volleyball picture gallery by HMFR photos, also on flickr 

documenting the state final participants and winner Greeley-Wolbach high school.

Beach Volleyball Pictures

If you haven't checked out her site, AVP pro Priscilla Lima has some great Beach Volleyball pictures in 

the Photo gallery on her site. So does AVP pro beach player Angie Akers who's made military trips to visit 

our troops and has some fantastic photos that document her travels.

Twitter

AVP pro beach volleyball player Brook Niles has funny tweets that make me laugh.

Volleyball Training

Active.com features ten volleyball training tips on how to improve your spiking by 

yours truly this month.

Remember the ball is in court.

About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

College Volleyball Pictures: Cedar Crest College Volleyball Pics by Twg 1942 on Flickr

Cedar Crest College Volleyball Pictures taken by Twg 1942 on Flickr. 

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

High School Volleyball News: Mary Cushman Named Gatorade New York's Player Of the Year

Girls High School Volleyball Player 

Mary Cushman Named Gatorade N.Y. POY

Mary Cushman, a part of Maryland’s 2010 volleyball freshmen class, was selected as the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year of New York for the second consecutive time.

 

CHICAGO, Ill. – In its 25th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, named Mary Cushman of West Irondequoit High School as its 2009-10 Gatorade New York Volleyball Player of the Year. Cushman is the first Gatorade New York Volleyball Player of the Year to be chosen from West Irondequoit High School.

 

Cushman committed to Maryland this past year for a fall 2010 start.

 

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Cushman as New York’s best high school volleyball player. Her selection qualified her as a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year award. Cushman joins an elite alumni association of past state volleyball award winners, including USA Volleyball Olympians Kim Glass (2001-02, Horseshoe HS, Penn.), Kim Willoughby (1998-99 &1999-00, Assumption HS, La.) and Ogonna Nnamani (1999-00, University HS, Ill.).

 

The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Cushman broke her own school record for kills with 351 this past season, leading the Eagles (34-2-1) to the sectional finals. A 2009-2010 Under Armour Second Team All-America selection, the 6-foot senior outside hitter also compiled 171 digs, 56 service aces and 52 blocks. Cushman is a three-time Monroe County Player of the Year and three-time Section V Class AA MVP, and holds school career records for kills, digs and service aces.

 

Cushman has maintained an A-average in the class room. She has volunteered at a local children’s hospital and has participated in fundraising campaigns to benefit breast cancer research and a community food bank.

 

“Mary Cushman is the best high school player that I have ever coached against,” said Shelly Collins, head coach of rival Victor High. “She is unstoppable. She plays great defense and is an amazing offensive player. Her jump serve alone can dismantle other teams. She was awesome last year and, if you can believe it, she improved this year.”

 

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPN RISE and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran p rep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

 

Two-time winner Cushman joins recent Gatorade New York Volleyball Players of the Year Erin Little (2007-08, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and Alyssa D'Errico (2006-07, Byron-Bergen Central) among the state’s list of former award winners.

 

– TERPS –

 

 

 

College Volleyball News: Alabama Head Volleyball Coach, Judy Green Retires After 2010 Season

College Volleyball News: Judy Green Announces She Will Retire as 

Alabama's Head Volleyball Coach After 2010 Season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Judy Green has announced that she will retire as The University ofAlabama head volleyball coach after the 2010 season. Green, the Crimson Tide's longest tenured volleyball coach, is preparing for her 15th season at the Capstone.

 

"I have been very fortunate in my coaching career to work at two outstanding universities with the pinnacle being The University of Alabama, however I have decided at this time to announce my coaching retirement from Alabama at the end of the 2010 season," Green said. "This decision was certainly not an easy one to reach because of my deep love and utmost respect for coaching and for the University.  Representing the Crimson Tide and competing at the highest level in the nations' most successful athletic conference, the SEC, has brought me much joy and I am very proud of what I have been able to accomplish with the volleyball program here. The foundation is built and with the opening of Foster Auditorium it is a great time for a new coach to make their mark and continue to move the volleyball program forward on a national level, and I know Coach Mal Moore will be able to attract another outstanding coach."

 

Under Green's direction, Alabama has made three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the school's first in 2005, followed by bids in 2006 and 2007. She has also coached the Tide to a pair of Southeastern Conference Western Division titles in 2000 and 2004 and the championship game of the final SEC tournament in 2005. Prior to Alabama, Green coached at the University of Montevallo for 10 seasons, leading them to seven top-10 NAIA finishes.

 

"I have spoken with Coach Green several times over the past week and she indicated to me over the course of those talks that she would like to retire after this coming season,"Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore said. "We are certainly appreciative of all her contributions to The University of Alabama, the Athletics Department and our volleyball program, which she has taken to a new level."

 

Green has coached Crimson Tide athletes to three AVCA All-America, two AVCA All-Region, five AVCA All-District and 21 All-SEC honors. In the classroom, Green's squads have earned team grade point averages of 3.0 or better 27 of 28 semesters as well as posting the highest team GPA of any NCAA Division I volleyball team in 2000. Her athletes have earned one CoSIDA Academic All-America, 10 CoSIDA Academic All-District and 61 SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades.

 

"I will always treasure the memories I have and will continue to make at Alabama with our past and current student-athletes and all of the assistant coaches, past and present who have helped me along the way," Green said. "I also treasure the incredible support staff who always go to great lengths to ensure our success, our loyal fans who have made the CAVE one of the toughest places for our opponents to play and our past and current athletic administration who have made a significant commitment to raise the bar for volleyball. I along with my coaching staff are excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the 2010 season knowing everyone associated with our program is more enthusiastic and committed than ever before to help us reach our team goals."

 

Green is the Tide's third volleyball coach, following Dorothy Franco-Reed (seven seasons) and Stephanie Schleuder (eight seasons).

 

--UA--

 

College Volleyball Pictures: Ryan Bagley Shoots BYU Women's Volleyball Team From Above

Brigham Young University Hawaii women’s volleyball team

loses to Hawaii Pacific and Ryan Bagley was there to 

photograph the college volleyball pictures. 

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

High School Girls Volleyball Picture Gallery: HMFR Photos at the State Finals: Greeley-Wolbach Wins

Check out this awesome slide show of girls high school volleyball pictures where Greeley-Wolback comes out on top. 

Great shots. I can tell that the photographer was moving around to get a great shot (especially the ones on defense) almost as much as the players were moving around to get the balls up. 

Photos by HMFR photos.

College Volleyball Pictures: Penn State Women's Volleyball pics by ZScribble

Great volleyball pictures taken by ZScribble on Flickr of Penn State women's volleyball action.

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

More on Penn State Volleyball:

• WNCC Cougar Athletics: Balza ready to lead Penn State volleyball ... - Balza ready to lead Penn State volleyball to Final Four. Fatima Balza, former WNCC volleyball player, is a key ingredient in Penn State's run for a national title. Here is a exceptional story on Balza from the Collegian newspaper with ...

• National Championship Match Earns No. 2 Rating: Penn State ... - National Championship Match Earns No. 2 Rating: Penn State Volleyball DVD Available for Order. Borrow Navy Flip Flops For Collegiate Volleyball Games. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Jan. 10, 2010 – On Dec. 19, 2009 the Penn State women's ...

• Penn State Clips: Penn State Women's Volleyball: A Look Back - Where does Penn State Volleyball go from here? It's tough to say. Penn State will still return a lot of talent, and also reloaded this year with a fantastic recruiting class, but you don't just replace players like Megan Hodge and .

LSU Volleyball Player Elena Martinez to Play Professionally in Puerto Rico for Llaneras de Toa Baja

College Volleyball News from LSU

BATON ROUGE – Former LSU libero Elena Martinez will continue her volleyball career professionally in Puerto Rico as a member of Llaneras de Toa Baja. She left Saturday to report to training camp. 

Llaneras de Toa Baja is the defending champion of the eight-team Puerto Rican Volleyball League and is located in the northern part of the country. The 21-match regular season begins on February 12 and wraps up on April 21.

"“I’m so grateful for this opportunity because playing professionally has always been a dream of mine,” Martinez said. “The fact that I get to play for a championship team like Llaneras has me anxious and excited to get down there. The coaches at LSU did an excellent job of challenging me and helping me develop into the player that I am today. I’m confident that my time at LSU has fully prepared me for this experience and I can’t wait to show Puerto Rico what Tigers are made of.”

Martinez was a first round draft pick of Llaneras de Toa Baja in December. She will have a trio of American teammates in Cassie Busse, Stacey Gordan and Jennifer Joines-Thamas, all of which have played on the USA National Team.

"“Elena is a consummate hard worker and we’'re very proud that she will continue her volleyball career in Puerto Rico,” head coach Fran Flory said. “She possesses all of the necessary tools to be successful at the professional level.”"

College Volleyball Career

Martinez notched 2007 and 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year along with AVCA All-American Honorable Mention status in both seasons during her LSU career. She reeled in 1,414 career digs, which ranks second in program history and was a part of four NCAA Tournament squads as the Tigers won a quartet of SEC Western Division championships from 2005-08. The New Orleans native also earned her elementary education degree in December 2009.

Martinez will check in on LSUsports.net at different points and write about her professional experience during the season.