STATESBORO – Georgia Southern volleyball coach Chad Willis announced today that he has named Abby Brown and Naomi Posada to his coaching staff for the 2019 season.

Posada, who served as a graduate assistant for the past two seasons, will stay on as a volunteer assistant coach, while Brown joins the staff as a graduate assistant.

"A big part of the vision for our program moving forward is ensuring we build a staff with quality people," said Willis. "Abby and Naomi are high character, dedicated and trustworthy individuals - dedicated to investing themselves in the lives of our student-athletes. We are excited to officially announce our finalized staff for the 2019 season and look forward to their contributions."

Posada played both volleyball and softball at Midland College for two years and was named defensive/offensive MVP in softball and won the Lady Chap award in volleyball. She continued her volleyball career at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for one season where she won the Crusader Award and was a part of a team that made it to Nationals in New York for the first time in school history. She finished her volleyball and softball career at Brewton-Parker and won the Baron Award.

Following graduation, Posada became the assistant coach for the Brewton-Parker women's volleyball team as well as assisted the first men's program in the school's history in the 2017-2018 season.

"Naomi was instrumental in our staff's transition when we got to campus back in February," said Willis. "I can't speak enough about the time and effort she puts in day in and day out to contribute to our overall vision. When the opportunity came for us to find a volunteer it was an easy decision. Naomi has a passion for teaching and mentoring, and I couldn't be more grateful for her continued role."

Brown finished off a four-year career at Benedictine College by earning first-team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honors in 2018. The libero ranked in the top-10 in the league in digs per set and total digs, posting 528 digs and a team high 27 aces. She played in 408 career matches and recorded 1,523 digs, 223 assists and 111 aces.  

Brown earned her bachelor's degree in criminology from Benedictine in 2019 and will work towards a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling.

"I've known Abby, through her wonderful family, over the course of the past five years," said Willis. "She is passionate, energetic, hardworking and will be a positive role model for our team. Abby will fill a variety of operational needs for our program as our graduate assistant. With her contagious energy and enthusiasm, I'm looking forward to having Abby alongside us."

Georgia Southern is set to return 13 letterwinners and four starters to the 2019 team. The Eagles open the season Aug. 18 with an exhibition contest against College of Charleston in Hanner Fieldhouse. First serve is set for 11 a.m., and admission is free.

Season tickets are $50, and single-match tickets are $5-8 and $3-5 for youth ages 4-12. Group tickets for groups of 15 or more are available for $3 each and must be purchased prior to game day.