MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery volleyball coach Flavia Siqueira has announced the arrival of eight new players ahead of a unique 2021 season.

The Warhawks earned the program's first Gulf South Conference postseason appearance and win after going 16-15 in the regular season. AUM was able to best Valdosta State in four sets in the first round of the postseason tournament before falling to West Georgia in a five-set thriller.

Molly Willis joins the team from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala. She lettered four years in volleyball for the Warriors under head coach Judy Green. She propelled her team to a 2019 Elite 8 State Tournament finish, a 2018 Sweet 16 finish, and a 2018-19 Regional Runner Up. Willis netted a 2.1 serve receive rating and recorded 163 kills and a .237 hitting percentage in her senior year.

"Molly has a great work ethic," said Siqueira. "She works extremely hard in the classroom, and she is very coachable. She is very dedicated, and I can't wait to help her develop her volleyball skill even more."

Mariane Cassiano joins the Orange & Black after transferring from Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla. The Rio de Janeiro native played under head coach German Del Valle from 2018-20. She earned all-conference team honors in 2018 and 2019 and was an all-state selection in 2019 and an all-American in 2018.

"Mariane is a very experienced outside hitter who can block very well. She brings a lot of joy when she plays."

Kyla Ffrench, a freshman, comes to AUM from Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. The Atlanta native was captain of the Tigers for three years and was named to the Gwinnett County Super Six. Ffrench tallied two 7A player of the year awards and was a two-time 7A MVP. In her final season, she recorded 350 kills and 70 blocks.

"Kyla is a very physical athlete who I am excited to work with. She is very disciplined and understands what needs to be done in order to get to the next level."

Genesis Taylor joins the Warhawks after spending two seasons at junior colleges. The Madison, Ala., native played at Wallace State Hanceville, and Lawson State under head coaches Randy Daniel and Jamie Gill. Taylor made the dean's list at Lawson State in 2019 and earned all-conference honors for the Cougars in the same season.

"Genesis is a transfer who brings a lot of experience in her position and has a way to conduct herself where she owns the back row."

Mariana Anastasiadi comes to Montgomery from Korydallos, Greece, where she played club volleyball under coaches George Saranteas and Nick Mpoutsouris. Her club team earned first place in their division every year from 2015-2018.

"Anastasiadi is a very young player who is eager to improve and has the potential to fulfill the needs of the team when she is called on."

Mary Beth Long played her high school ball at George W. Long High School in Skipperville, Ala. She played six years of volleyball for the rebels while also playing basketball and softball. She earned super 12 nominations all four years of high school and won MVP in the state tournament during her senior season. The Clio, Ala., native holds the school record for most kills in her career. 

"She is a kid who I believe has a lot of upside. She comes from a small school where she did very well, but I believe she is up to the new challenge of stepping up and learning so much more about the game."

Berkleigh Davidson joins the team after playing for the Patriots at Northside High School in Midland, Ga. Under head coach Lindsay Johnson, Davidson holds the school record for digs in a career. She won the 2018 and 2019 city championships and was named all-city, all-state, defensive player of the year, and co-player of the year during her high school tenure.

"Berkleigh is going to be a good addition on the back row. Her fundamentals as a passer and defender are what I look for in the libero position."

Wiktoria Warpechowska comes to the United States from Legionow, Poland, after playing for coach Pawel Kowal. Warpechowska earned scientific distinction honors in high school for her grade point averages in 2017-2020. She played her club volleyball for LTS Legionovia Legionowo and won three championships.

"Wiktoria is a great blocker. She can see the game before it happens, and I can't wait to help her improve offensively while also knowing that defensively, she is going to be a great asset to our team."

The Warhawks will look to build upon their historic 2019 season with an even better showing in the spring. For updates on the start of the volleyball season, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.