(Story courtesy of Sewanee: University of the South)
SEWANEE, Tenn. – Shawna Laurendine, who has over nine years of collegiate coaching experience, has been named head volleyball coach according to Athletic Director Mark Webb.
"We are most fortunate to have someone with Coach Laurendine's qualifications and experience to take the helm of our volleyball program," said Webb. "With Shawna's leadership, energy, and passion for the sport, I anticipate our team will have continued improvement and much success as we enter our new athletic conference."
Laurendine joins the athletic department after spending five seasons as the Head Coach at Southern Arkansas University. At SAU, Laurendine was named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year in 2003. Additionally, nine SAU student-athletes received All-GSC awards including Brittany Wright, who was named the 2003 GSC Player of the Year. Laurendine also served as the SAU Senior Women's Administrator and GSC volleyball liaison to the NCAA.
Prior to her stint at SAU, Laurendine was the University of West Alabama Head Volleyball Coach from 1996-2000. There, Laurendine guided five UWA players to All-GSA awards.
A 1994 graduate of theUniversity of Montevallo, Laurendine was a four-year letterwinner for the Falcons. Laurendine was inducted in the Montevallo Hall of Fame in 1999 after she earned NAIA First-Team All-American, American Volleyball Coaches Association First-Team All-American, and Asics Tiger First-Team All-American honors. Additionally, Laurendine was awarded the 1994 Fred Sington Trophy, given annually to the best female amateur athlete in the state of Alabama.
Laurendine began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Montevallo from 1994-96, where sheearned her master's degree in physical education in 1996.
Recently, Laurendine served as the Health Improvement and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator at The University of the South. She also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers in 2011 and coaches the Choo Choo City Volleyball Club.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Sewanee's volleyball program," Laurendine said. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Mark Webb for believing in my abilities, both as a person and as a coach. We have a great group of young, talented players who are ready to take this program to the next level."
Laurendine is married to current Sewanee head football coach Tommy Laurendine. The couple resides in Sewanee, with their two daughters, Alexa, 12 and Lakin, 7.
