By Rebecca Hannigan
As the academic life in Sewanee settles into new classes and schedules, fall sports are also returning. Volleyball is among those sports, and the team is off to a strong start: with a record of 6-0, the Lady Tigers are
back and better than ever.
Cheering fans in Fowler Center had plenty to celebrate when the Lady Tigers hosted the Sewanee Invitational tournament and kept a perfect record. The Tigers earned the championship title after defeating Brescia, Pikeville, Piedmont, Pensacola Christian, and Fisk – all without dropping a single match.
Fueled by the momentum from the weekend’s victories, the team then hosted a game against Covenant College on Tuesday night. Once again, the Tigers proved that they were unstoppable, beating Covenant and improving their record to 6-0.
Pride and excitement were clear in Coach Shawna Laurendine’s expression as she walked off the court Tuesday night. “It’s exciting,” she said. “Our core players have returned with energy and enthusiasm, along with talented freshmen who add depth and competitiveness to practices.”
Last year, Laurendine led the team to its first winning season since 1999, earning her the title Coach of the Year for the Southern Athletic Association. Now she is assisted by Coach Amber Gillam, and both coaches have even higher ambitions for the Lady Tigers this year.
Come see how the rest of the story unfolds on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:00 PM when the Lady Tigers take on Cumberland on their home court. They will also play at home on Sept. 28 and 29 against Millsaps and Birmingham-Southern.
“Our team chemistry is coming together,” Laurendine said. “We’ve set the tone for what we can accomplish this season, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.”