University of Tennessee Athletics
Volleyball Adds Four to 2016 Team
November 13, 2015 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head volleyball coach Rob Patrick announced the addition of four players who will join the team next season.
The new class of incoming freshmen includes: Alyssa Andreno (MH, Stafford, Va.), Tessa Grubbs (MH, Tega Cay, S.C.), Sedona Hansen (S, Wrightwood, Calif.) and Asha Phillips (DS, Murfreesboro, Tenn.).
“What jumps out about our 2016 class is the dynamic, athletic qualities of the group,” Patrick said. “They move quickly. They’re powerful. Each one of these players has the ability to come in and compete for playing time as freshmen. They will provide very experienced depth to our team.
“They are all very hard working and coachable young ladies. Their addition also address the needs of our program as we graduate a setter and defensive specialist, and they will provide depth to our hitting positions.”
Here’s a look at newest members of the Tennessee volleyball program:
ALYSSA ANDRENO
Alyssa Andreno is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Stafford, Va. She attends Brooke Point High School and now competes with Metro Volleyball Club and is coached by Silvia Johnson.
Andreno was named all-conference and second-team all-state last year at Brooke Point. This year, she currently holds the single-season kill and ace records. Last year she had 253 kills to go along with 151 digs and 106 blocks. She has more than 260 blocks in 2015. As a 16-year-old playing for the Fredericksburg Juniors Volleyball Club, she was named an AAU All-American as her team placed fifth at AAU nationals.
She plans to major in kinesiology and train to become a physical therapist, athletic trainer or personal trainer.
“Alyssa is a powerful, dynamic athlete, and she brings good volleyball skills as well,” Patrick said. “She has the ability to play any of the front row positions and will be a force at the net early in her career. Her blocking skills will be very advanced for a freshman coming in. She has the ability to get kills.”
TESSA GRUBBS
Tessa Grubbs is a 6-foot-3 middle hitter from Tega Cay, S.C. She attends Fort Mill High School and plays for Carolina Union Volleyball Club, where she is coached by Jay Carrell.
In the last two years at Fort Mill, she has played middle and outside hitter. As a senior at outside hitter, she has averaged 5.8 kills per set and 1.7 digs per set after hitting 3.6 kills per set as a junior. She also recorded 88 aces as a senior. She was a 2015 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American
“Tessa is a strong, long powerful hitter who plays high above the net,” Patrick said. “She has the ability to play all three front row positions and has the ability to produce kills due to her powerful offensive game. She also will bring an experienced game and has one of the toughest serves I have seen for any incoming freshman.”
She plans to major in kinesiology and would like to become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
SEDONA HANSEN
Sedona Hansen is a 5-8 setter from Wrightwood, Calif. She attends Serrano High School and competes with the Rancho Valley Volleyball Club, where she is coached by Danny Scott.
She was a multi-sport athlete at Serrano, competing in track and field for two years and soccer for one year in addition to four years of volleyball. She served as volleyball team captain for three years and her team won its league all four years she played, compiling an 89-15 record.
In terms of club success, she was named Prepvolleyball.com’s Setter of the Year in the 18s and the No. 55 player in Prepvolleyball’s Senior Aces. She was part of the winning Club West team in the 14-and-under junior national championships.
“She’s quick and athletic and someone who can cover the court,” Patrick said. “Combined with her elite setting skills, she’ll be able to keep our team in system. She’s one of the quickest setters I’ve ever seen play. She can set every tempo ball with great ease and has the ability to better the ball on a great range of digs. She has the experience, athleticism and intangibles to compete for playing time right away.”
Hansen plans to major in sports management and would like to become a sports agent.
ASHA PHILLIPS
Asha Phillips is a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist from Murfreesboro, Tenn. She attends Siegel High School and plays for the Alliance Volleyball Club, where she is coached by John Blair and former UT All-American Ellen Mullins.
Phillips was a 2015 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American for Siegel High School. In the last two seasons at Siegel, she has recorded 1,014 digs and 81 aces. She played outside hitter as a senior and also recorded 3.1 kills per set. She earned all-district honors in 2014 and 2015 and was all-region in 2015. In addition to her three years of volleyball, she also played basketball for a season.
She plans to major in computer engineering.
“We’re excited to add a Tennessee native to our roster, especially one with the athletic ability that Asha possesses,” Patrick said. “She will bolster our back court play. She’s already an accomplished defensive player who has some untapped potential.”
