Tigers Look to Future Without the Big Three

Gainesville, Ga - The Brenau University volleyball team opened practice this week and are looking forward to another winning season after posting a school record 24 wins last year. Lost to graduation are three players that contributed heavily to last year's success. All Conference selections Karen Green and Audra VanArsdale and Captain Maida Smajic are gone, but plenty of experience returns to fuel the optimism for the upcoming campaign.

Two seniors that have played a vital role during their careers will lead the way as Outside Hitter Courtney Frady (Ellijay) and Middle Blocker Meredith Hardin (Cartersville) return. A pair of junior hitters, Alexis Arthur (Aiken, SC) and Kelsey Aley (Tallahassee, FL) are also back and have plenty of experience. The Tigers tied for 4th in the SSAC a year ago at 5-7 while posting their first winning season in history.

"There is no doubt that we will miss the three seniors, but I like the way this team is moving the ball and we have experienced players at every position for the first time since I have been here," said Coach Meredith Franklin, who begins her fourth season at the helm. "We have 10 returning players and they now know how hard we have to work to compete in this conference."

The team will conclude their daily doubles with an intrasquad scrimmage on August 24 and then open the regular season in Texas at the Wesleyan Hughes Classic, August 27-28.