Not long after taking over the LSU softball job last year, head coach Yvette Girouard and assistant James DeFeo called then junior outfielder Trena Peel into their office.
As former coaches at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Girouard and DeFeo saw firsthand the raw talent and ability Peel possessed -- but didn't always utilize.
"We told her there's no excuse for her not to be dominating this (Southeastern Conference) league because she's as good as anyone," Girouard recalled. "We wanted her to be more of a leader, more of a spark.
"We told her if she didn't leave here with some huge honors," Girouard said, "she would have to apologize to God, because he certainly blessed her with a lot of talent."
Apparently Peel finally heeded her coach's advice.
Peel, a senior center fielder, was named the SEC's Athlete of the Year as the league's most valuable player, which was announced by the league on Tuesday. The honor comes after leading third-ranked LSU to a 49-9 record and fourth-straight SEC overall championship.
"I never thought I would win this award," said Peel, a second team All-SEC selection as a junior. "It's very surprising to me. I'm shocked. I guess I played better than I thought."
Senior All-American pitcher Britni Sneed was voted the SEC's Pitcher of the Year, the only unanimous selection on the 12-member first team.
Junior first baseman Christy Connor was LSU's other first-team selection.
Second-team choices included senior second baseman April Janzen, senior right fielder Erin Johnson and sophomore pitcher Kristin Schmidt.
Girouard, who directed LSU to the second of its four overall SEC titles, shared the honor with South Carolina's Joyce Compton and Auburn's Tina Deese as Tri-Coaches of the Year.
"Obviously, how could Britni not be unanimous," Girouard said. "If she wasn't, then they have a problem. We're just so proud of her because she just gets better and better."
Sneed became only the second LSU player to be named to the All-SEC's first team four straight years. Shortstop Tara Asbill (1997-2000) was the other.
"It's just an awesome feeling," said Sneed, one of 10 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. "I have to give a lot of credit to coach Girouard and the workouts she has for the pitchers. I've definitely gotten better since I've been in college."
Sneed (26-6, 0.83 earned run average) had six no-hitters and a school-record 21 shutouts. With 1,288 career strike outs, she ranks fifth on the NCAA's all-time list.
"I focused on having a better year this year," said Sneed. "It's kind of a inner-peace thing. I wanted to get better every year and it's been a great year. Just trying to get better every day."
Peel enjoyed her best season this year, leading LSU in batting at .376 -- seventh best in the SEC -- and topping the nation with 13 triples.
"All the credit goes to coach Girouard for moving me into lead-off position," Peel said. "I've hit third, fourth and fifth before. But this year they wanted to me to use my short game to have more options."
Connor, the team leader in home runs (7), doubles (16) and RBIs (35), earned her first All-SEC mention in two seasons at LSU.
"Honestly, I was surprised," said Connor. "I didn't have the best year and struggled early. But it's good ... a confidence builder."
"It's a credit to Christy because she really picked up her defense this year," Girouard said. "So she's done it all around. She's the person we set the table for in RBI situations. She's not one to stay in a slump very long."
The second-team selections of Johnson (.312, 3 HRs, 20 RBIs), Janzen (.304, 1 HR, 20 RBIs) and Schmidt (16-3, 0.89) are their first such honors at LSU.
"We had a huge amount of selections and we should have," Girouard said. "It shows that we're good and we have good talent."
