Brenau basketball coach Gary Bays expects an improved Lady Tiger team to be more competitive in the Southern States Atlantic Conference this season. After two convincing wins in scrimmage games, the team travels to Sumter, S.C. today for the season opener against Morris College. According to Bays, the return of four starters from last year’s 10-20 squad will lead to a more experienced team that should be in better position to win close games.

Sophomore Paige Cooper, who was selected to the SSAC All-Freshman team, averaged 8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game in 2006. The Lady Tigers also welcome back East Hall grad White Jones for her senior season.

Brenau’s home opener is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday against Tennessee Temple University.

Tigers volleyball season ends
Brenau’s volleyball team concluded its season Friday with a 3-0 (13-30, 21-30, 22-30) loss to Reinhardt at the SSAC tournament. A loss to the No. 1 seed Lee University on Thursday placed Brenau in the loser’s bracket, which they were unable to rebound from. Audra VanArsdale earned all-conference honors.

Piedmont’s season comes to a close
In Piedmont’s first NCAA Division-III national tournament match, the Piedmont College volleyball team fell 3-0 to No. 8 Emory University at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Nikki Cole led Piedmont offense with five kills, while Johnson High grad Sarah Lane chipped in three kills.

Former GHS standout contributes in win
Gainesville High grad Brent Benson, now at Texas State University, scored 17 points off the bench for the Bobcats in a 131-96 exhibition win over Concordia on Friday.

The Bobcats visit Kennesaw State University at 4 p.m. Friday.