Junior Brianna Warren setting up to serve during a home match at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. The Braves are currently 1-0 on the season. Image/UNCP Athletics.
By: Danny Williams, Contributor
Brianna Warren, a rising star for UNCP’s Volleyball team, was recognized for her talents when she received the honor of being named to the Preseason All-Peach Belt Conference Team. Her third season on the team looks to be promising, as she became the first UNCP Volleyball player to pick up the honor in a decade.
“It is a real honor to be named preseason All PBC because I am very dedicated to this program and my teammates. I appreciate the recognition from the PBC, and I know it wouldn’t be possible without my teammates,” said Warren.
Warren has proven that she is a talent behind the net, especially defensively. Standing at 6’1″, she is one of the best blockers in the nation, ranked as the fourth-best blocker overall during her sophomore campaign. Her tenacity has been a morale boost for her teammates and cemented her as a defensive anchor.
Warren isn’t just gifted defensively though, she has also been a great help to her team on the offensive side as well, posting double-digit kills on multiple occasions last year. Warren’s kill total during the first two years of her career was 321.
Her preseason recognition is well earned, doubling her kills and blocks from her freshman season to her sophomore season.
Head Coach Ellen McGill agrees, and is thrilled to see Brianna’s strides leading to acknowledgement.
“We are super proud of Brianna. The preseason honor was well deserved and something we feel she earned last season in 2019. Hopefully, this is the first of many conference honors for Brianna and the rest of the team,” said McGill.
UNCP Volleyball has a rising star on their hands. And with their first win against Georgia College on March 8, they made a huge statement to start the season. Warren will be a focal point in the team’s game plan, as she looks to help them thrive in the Peach Belt Conference this year. With Warren’s impressive play, a conference tournament title looks to be a major goal for the Braves’ postseason.