MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn Montgomery volleyball program and head coach Melissa Robinson recently announced the addition of seven newcomers for the 2018 season.
 
Joining the Warhawks for the upcoming campaign are Jordan Briskey (Anniston, Ala./Saks High School) Dariona Dash (Columbia, S.C./Gray Collegiate Academy), Marissa Elio (Beulah, Ala./Point University), Alexandria Henry (Fayette, Ala./Bevill State CC), Sommer Rhea (Oregon, Ill./McHenry County College), Payton Traff (Montgomery, Ala./McHenry County College), and Emily Ward (Sugar Grove, Ill./Aurora Christian Schools)
 
"Our 2018 class will add some great additions that will help our program continue to build on our foundation and set a tone for AUM for years to come." Robinson said.
 
A 5-6 outside hitter from Anniston, Ala., Briskey was a two-time All-Alabama Community College Conference honoree while at Southern Union Community College under the guidance of Mechi Jackson, finishing in the top 10 in the league for total kills each season with 255 as a sophomore and 307 as a freshman. Led by Briskey, the Bison finished both seasons in the top three of the conference for team kills. The daughter of Thomas and Tandria Briskey, she intends to major in Kinesiology at AUM.
 
"Jordan is a utility player that can help us grow in more ways than one," Robinson said. "I'm excited to see where Jordan will assist mainly but also embracing the challenge of playing offense and defense. Jordan also has a go-getter mentality and we're excited to have her."
 
A 5-9 outside hitter from Columbia, S.C., Dash prepped at Gray Collegiate Academy where she played under head coach Amber Haver. She helped the War Eagles to three regional championships while earning All-Region honors three times with All-State distinction once. The daughter of Dennis and Schawanda Dash, she plans on majoring in Exercise Science at AUM.
 
"Dariona is a wonderful athlete that will contribute right away," Robinson said. "Dariona has the ability to be a dominant attacker for us. We're very lucky to have her."
 
A 5-10 outside hitter from Beulah, Ala., Elio joins the Warhawks after two seasons at Point University under the guidance under head coach Amanda Jones, spending her freshman year on the Skyhawks' JV team before earning a spot on the varsity roster and seeing the court in 13 sets over 10 matches. Off the court, she was named to the All-Appalachian Athletics Conference All-Academic Team. The daughter of Terry and Susan Bullock, she plans to major in Exercise Science at AUM.
 
"I'm excited to have Marissa," Robinson said. "She hasn't hit her ceiling with her potential yet. I can't wait to see how much she will continue to grow and flourish here at AUM."
 
A 5-9 outside hitter from Fayette, Ala., Henry attended Bevill State Community College last year under head coach Theresa Berry-Franks. She finished the 2017 campaign with the eighth-best dig per set average in the ACCC at 3.18 while leading the Bears in kills (117), kills per set (2.09) and kill percentage (.197). The daughter of Will and Amanda Henry, she plans on majoring in Business Marketing at AUM.
 
"Alex is a natural athlete who brings leadership and knowledge of the game," Robinson said. "Her infectious energy can be felt by everyone around her."
 
A 5-9 outside hitter from Oregon, Ill., Rhea previously attended McHenry County College under head coach Kule McCall where she ranked 23rd in the NJCAA in kills per set with 3.45 as a freshman, propelling the Scotts to the 16th most kills in the country at 1573. She helped McHenry to back-to-back Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Championships while earning First Team All-Conference and All-Region IV Tournament Team honors during her freshman campaign. The daughter of Scott and Shelly Rhea, she plans to major in Biology.
 
"Sommer brings a strong competitive background," Robinson said. "Her skillset will help mold our foundation on our journey to the postseason in the future."
 
A 5-8 setter, Traff returns to Montgomery, Ala., after a successful two-year career at McHenry County College under head coach Kule McCall where she finished each season ranked in the top 10 of the NJCAA Division II for total assists with 1606 as a sophomore and 1457 as a freshman. The 2017 First Team All-Region and two-time First Team All-Conference honoree guided the Scots to back-to-back Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championships with a regional championship as a freshman. The daughter of Michael and Kim Traff, she plans on majoring in Business at AUM
 
"Payton's competitive nature will go a long way for us," Robinson said. "Her ability to lead the offense and encouraging others will assist us with our strong offense."
 
A 5-7 defensive specialist from Sugar Grove, Ill., Ward joins the Warhawks from Auroro Christian Schools where she played under head coach Amand Currens. She guided the Eagles to a fifth-place finish at the IHSAA 2A State Tournament finish while earning second team All-Conference honors her final two seasons after boasting 431 digs with 71 service aces as a senior and 322 digs as a junior. The daughter of David and Tracey Ward, she plans on majoring in Kinesiology at AUM.
 
"Emily will enhance our defensive speed of our program," Robinson said. "She brings an elite level of experience that will help us become more competitive."
 
The seven additions join Nyah Whittlesey in the 2018 signing class.

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