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BRENNAE BENDA NAMED TECH'S FEMALE ATHLETE
OF THE WEEK
RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas –
Arkansas Tech has named Golden Suns freshman libero
Brennae Benda (Woodstock, Ill.) as this
week's 11th Female
Student-Athlete of the Week for the 2008-09 school year.
Benda,
who is the seventh Golden Sun Volleyball player to be
honored this season,
earns this week's honor after her sensational
freshman campaign with the Golden Suns. As a freshman
this past season, Benda was named the Gulf South
Conference's West Division Freshman of the Year after
leading the Golden Suns in digs with 402 (3.65 dps) and
also helping Tech to a 31-5 overall record and its first
GSC West Division title since 2000 and its fourth title
overall since joining the league. Benda was the sixth
Golden Sun to be named West Division Freshman of the
Year and the second consecutive year that Tech had a
player honored with that award as sophomore middle
blocker Sarah Von Lienen (Lakeland, Tenn.) was
honored in 2007. In addition to her digs, Benda recorded
43 service aces and had 18 matches with double-digit
digs and had four matches with 20 or more digs,
including a career-high 30 digs against Rockhurst that
helped earn Benda the GSC West Division Defensive Player
of the Week honor on Sept. 9. The 402 digs this past
season is tied for eighth-best on the school's
single-season chart, while the 3.65 digs per set is
eighth on the single-season chart.
The following is a question and answer segment to help
get to know this successful Tech student-athlete:
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Why did you
ultimately choose to come to Tech?
Brennae Benda: Volleyball was what got
me interested. I loved my visit with the
team and coaching staff, it was a perfect
fit size-wise and the weather was warmer!
Outside of athletics, what is your favorite
thing about college life?
BB: I like to hang out with friends and
being on my own.
What is your favorite type of music/group?
BB: I like country, rap/hip-hop, alternative
and rock.
What do you consider your hobby?
BB: I like art design, music and
photography.
What sport other than volleyball do you like
to watch or would you like to play the most?
BB: I love watching football and I would
like to play basketball or soccer.
Who is one person that has had the biggest
impact on your life?
BB: Too many people, but probably my older
brother (Brandon) and both of my parents for
sure.
What
is your most memorable moment as a Tech
athlete?
BB: Beating Harding at Harding and winning
the GSC West Division title.
 What would you do on your dream vacation?
BB: I would like to sit on a beach with my
friends and family out in the sun.
What is your major at Tech?
BB: I am a graphic design/advertising major.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
BB: Probably go back to Illinois and
hopefully work in Chicago for an advertising
company.
Do you have a pet?
BB: I have a cat named Rudy.
How many times a day do you find yourself
checking Facebook?
BB: Too many times to list.
What's been the most rewarding class you
have had while being at Tech?
BB: 2D Design with Prof. Cuenco.
What are your goals for next season?
BB: I would love to win conference again and
have great team chemistry. In addition, I
would like to make it past the first round
of the GSC Tournament. |
Tech
Female Student-Athlete of the Week Winners
(2008-09)
November 5 -
senior
Kayla Waldrup (cross country)
October 30 - senior Brianna Greene (cross
country)
October 23 - sophomore middle blocker Sarah
Von Lienen (volleyball)
October 15 - freshman outside hitter Laura
Farney (volleyball)
October 8 - senior outside hitter Racheal
Urquhart (volleyball)
September 30 - senior setter Kayla Allison
(volleyball)
September 23 - sophomore Lauren Karnitz
(cross country)
September 16 - junior Melissa Pollreis
(cross country)
September 3 - senior middle blocker Dana Florian
(volleyball)
August 24 -
freshman defensive specialist Marcela Mascarenhas
(volleyball)
Previous Tech Female Student-Athlete of the Week Winners
(2007-08)
May 5 -
freshman
Tiphani Moon
(Softball)
April 23 -
junior
Kristen Brown
(Tennis)
April 14 - redshirt freshman Ashlynn Hamrick
(Volleyball)
April 8 - senior Molly Schweigert
(Softball)
April 3 - junior Anna Carson (Tennis)
March 24 -
junior Sarah Pratt (Softball)
March 19 - freshman Ana Morales (Golf)
March 4 - senior Whitney Simmons (Tennis)
Feb. 25 - sophomore pitcher Casey Hammons
(Softball)
Feb. 20
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junior forward Amanda Grappe (Women's Basketball)
Feb. 12 - senior pitcher Dana Aldrich
(Softball)
Feb. 5
-
senior forward Krishna Baker (Women's Basketball)
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