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Season Outlook 2008-2009
by coach Meredith Matthews

Coach Meredith Matthews begins her first full season as the Head Coach of the Golden Tigers and is optimistic about the chances of this team to break into the upper half of the conference.  With the return of seven players from last year, all of whom saw considerable playing time, the experience is in place to be successful.  Coach Matthews has recruited a talented class of freshmen who possess the ability to give Brenau some depth that they have lacked in the past.  If the veterans embrace the talent of the new players and the team comes together, this could be the best season in volleyball history at Brenau University.
Leading the way for the Tigers is junior setter Audra VanArsdale (Pelham, AL), who was a second team All-Conference selection in 2007.  Returning for her sophomore season is outside hitter Courtney Frady (Ellijay, GA), who will be counted on to lead the offensive attack.  Another key player will be junior outside hitter Karen Green (Lawrenceville, GA), who has won the Golden Tiger Award for the past two seasons.  Defensive specialist Maida Smajic (Lawrenceville, GA), will return for her junior season and will anchor the back row.  Three other players with experience are back.  Junior hitter Shantoria Mayes (Birmingham, AL) has two years of playing time under her belt, and sophomores Meredith Hardin (Cartersville, GA), a middle hitter who has shown much improvement and defensive specialist Heather Dorough (Dacula, GA) round out the group of returning players.
The group of newcomers are all talented and should push for playing time if they pick up the college game quickly enough.  Setter Kerry Abernathy (Orlando, FL) is showing promise in early workouts, along with middle hitter Kelsey Aley (Tallahassee, FL).  Another pair who will factor into the rotation are Alexis Arthur, an outside hitter from Aiken, SC, and defensive specialist Brianna Kastner (Navarre, FL).  Defensive specialist Ashlea Harris (Carrollton, GA) and outside hitter Natalie Beth Hays (Fayetteville, GA) round out the squad and will also see playing time. 
“The talent and skills are there to be competitive in the SSAC, and everything will depend on how quickly our young team matures and develops confidence,” said Coach Matthews.  If the group of players becomes a strong unit, Brenau could post its first winning season in the program’s history.