BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Auburn Montgomery freshmen Dariona Dash and Nyah Whittlesey were named the Top Newcomers for the Warhawks by the Gulf South Conference in its preseason poll release, it was announced Friday.
 
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.
 
A 5-9 outside hitter, Whittlesey garnered All Bi-City Team accolades three-consecutive seasons with All-Area distinction her senior campaign after boasting 304 digs, 285 kills, 58 service aces and 29 blocks. As a sophomore, the Columbus, Ga., product helped the Blue Devils claim the GHSA AAAAA State Championship behind a 46-7 overall record. Off the court, Whittlesey is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, National Honor Society and National English Honor Society. While at AUM, she plans to major in Kinesiology.
 
The Warhawks will open the 2018 season on Friday, Aug. 24, when they take part in the 2018 UAH Classic hosted by Gulf South Conference foe Alabama Huntsville. AUM will open the season with Ouachita Baptist at 10 a.m., before taking on the host Chargers at 2 p.m. later in the day. The Orange & Black will close out the tournament with Lemoyne-Owen College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
This will be the second year in a row that AUM begins the season at the UAH Classic, as the Warhawks opened last year's tournament with a victory over Lemoyne-Owen, the first volleyball win in school history.
 
As a part of the preseason release, the Warhawks were picked to finish 12^th in the league, as voted on by the GSC member head coaches.
 
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