1  Amanda Friday Class: Sophomore Hometown: Springfield, Va. High School: Robert E. Lee H.S. Height: 5-7 Position: DS

ROB PATRICK ON FRIDAY: "Amanda is really going to push for playing time this season. She has worked diligently in our practices to become tougher with her serve and more consistent in the passing game. Her work ethic has allowed her to improve on a daily basis, and I'm very comfortable putting her in a match as a defensive specialist or even at libero if we need her. She played well for us as a situational sub last year, but she is stronger now having gone through our weight program and has gotten much better technique and skill-wise over the summer."

2008 (FRESHMAN): Played in 16 contests during her rookie campaign...Made her collegiate debut at LSU on Sept. 26...Recorded her first career dig against Florida on Oct. 12 and her first assist at Mississippi State on Oct. 26...Set a career high with a pair of digs in UT's 3-0 sweep over Georgia on Oct. 31...Tallied her first ace against No. 12 Florida on Nov. 14...Added another at Auburn on Nov. 23...Earned a spot on the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll for her work in the classroom.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned Most Valuable Player honors for the Patriot District during her senior season at Robert E. Lee H.S....Also claimed all-region and set career records for both digs and aces, as well as the single-match digs standard...Was the MVP for the Virginia Elite club volleyball team in 2006...Led the Lady Lancers to district championships in both her sophomore and junior years...Picked up first-team all-district, honorable mention all-region and all-region all-tournament team accolades both seasons...Also earned two varsity letters as a member of the softball team and was named MVP of her freshman basketball team...Earned scholar athlete status with a GPA over 3.5 all four years of her high school career...Participated in both National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in psychology...Lists her favorite hobbies as listening to music and reading mystery or adventure novels...Also enjoys snowboarding and whitewater rafting...Names her club coach, Tom Lowrey, as the biggest influence in her sports career...Has one sister, Jimmie Lee, 23...Amanda Raquel Friday, the daughter of Jeff and Reina Friday, was born on July 12, 1990, in Springfield, Va.