Golden Tigers Look To Build On Solid Foundation

Golden Tigers Look To Build On Solid Foundation
August 9, 2013

The Brenau University Golden Tigers Volleyball Team, fresh off a 20-win season, looks to build on the solid foundation of the 2013 squad. In exciting fashion, the team concluded the season with a hard fought 5-set victory over #1 SSAC tournament seed, Spring Hill College, before losing a heartbreaking 1-set tiebreak against Loyola to finish seventh in the conference tournament.

The 2012-2013 squad set school records for wins in conference play (7), set winning % (0.652), conference tournament seed (6), national ranking in attack % (0.248, #21 in Division I) and kills per set (12.910, #34 in Division I). The team had two players earn SSAC First and Second Team All-Conference honors and six SSAC All-Academic honors.

Head Coach Jeff White returns only one starter from last year's squad, but has added six freshmen as complements to the returning players.

Offensively, the Golden Tigers will be fun to watch starting with the return of 6'0" senior opposite hitter Ellen Lemos (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Lemos, who closed out last season with a 29-kill performance against top seeded Spring Hill College, had 305 kills and an attack % of 0.286 in 105 sets in 2012. Adding power to the middle of the court, 6'2" junior middle hitter Rachel Adam (Athens, GA) led the team in attack % (0.368) and had critical kills throughout the season. Sophomore setter Bailey Hicks (Buford, GA) returns as a candidate for the vacated starting setter position.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Brenau Volleyball Team has the motto, "Never Let the Ball Drop." Junior defensive specialist Lindsay Kelly (Cumming, GA) accrued 177 digs in 74 sets and led the team in service % (93.9). Dominating the net, Rachel Adam and 5'10" junior middle/opposite hitter Devony Hemingway (Salemburg, NC) had 64 and 38 blocks respectively in 2012. The addition of transfer junior defensive specialist Chelsea Foster (Roswell, GA) will strengthen the back row defense and contribute to the overall speed and quickness of the defense.

The 2013 freshman class is impressive and these athletes are eager to help the program reach the next level. Courtney Deason (Pensacola, FL), a 5'8" setter out of Catholic High School, has won two District Championships, played in the State Sweet Sixteen, the State Elite Eight, and was voted MVP of the West team in the Florida High School All-Star Game. Middle Blocker Allie Smith (Pace, FL) was a member of an undefeated, District Champion high school team who earned All-Area First Team honors as a senior. Marcella Toups (Morris, IL), a 5'9"outside hitter, won consecutive Region Championships her junior and senior years. Outside hitter Alexandra (Alex) Mariona (Simpsonville, SC) brings a winning tradition as well as her high school team, Hillcrest High School, won the 2012 South Carolina State Championship. Mariona was named to the All-Region Team during her senior year. Jasmine Jones (Atlanta, GA), outside hitter/defensive specialist, is a versatile athlete who will play volleyball and run track at Brenau. Finally, Pamela Konken (Stockbridge, GA), a 5'9" outside hitter, was a standout at Woodland High School where she was named All State (AAAA), Area 4-AAAA Player of the Year and Henry County Player of the Year. A four-year starter in high school, Konken is the only athlete at Woodland High School to have a jersey retired.

With the season-ending injury to SSAC All-Conference Second Team member, Sydney Koon and outside hitter Ashley Jackson, the 2013 Brenau Volleyball Team will need to step up and perform at a high level. The squad plans to challenge for the SSAC Championship and earn a national ranking.