Claflin, Bronston Earn Preseason Honors

ATLANTA (CU SID) — Claflin University middle blocker Bria Bronston has been named the 2015 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year. She was also named to the Preseason First Team. The preseason honors, which were announced today by the league office, were voted on by the head volleyball coaches. Senior Kiara Johnson was also named to the Preseason First Team while the Lady Panthers, who are the reigning SIAC Champions, were picked to win the SIAC Eastern Division. Bronston, a 6-1 junior out of Findlay, Ohio, finished the season ranked 44th in the nation in hitting percentage. She was second on the Lady Panthers squad in kills and blocks with 336 and 73, respectively. In addition, she finished third on the team in service aces with 37. Bronston was named to the 2014 SIAC First Team All-Conference. Johnson, a 5-6 right side hitter/defensive specialist from Winnsboro, S.C. was third on the team in kills and digs in 2014 with 241 kills and 256, respectively. She was one of four Lady Panthers who earned SIAC post-season honors as she was named to the 2014 SIAC Second Team All-Conference. Claflin will open its season at home for the first time in two seasons when they host North Greenville University on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The Lady Panthers will travel to Columbia, S.C. to face inter-conference foe Benedict College on Friday, Sept 11. Claflin will host Fayetteville State University on Tuesday, Sept. 15 before hitting the road for its next 12 contests beginning Saturday, Sept. 19 when they travel to Pembroke, N.C. for a tri-match with UNC-Pembroke and Lander University. All Lady Panthers home matches will be played at Tullis Arena inside of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center on the campus of Claflin University. All matches are free of charge and opened to the public.