April Yantis enters her first season as part of the Auburn volleyball coaching staff after being announced as an assistant coach by head coach Wade Benson on Feb. 8, 2008. Yantis joins the Auburn volleyball staff full-time after assisting last season in an administrative role. The Hanover, Pa. native brings 14 years of volleyball experience on the Division I level, including four years of playing experience. "April is very task-oriented and has a great pedigree in volleyball coaching from her experience at Georgia, Miami, Virginia tech and Duke," said Benson. "Her on-court training and office work is impeccable." Along with her coaching duties, Yantis will handle much of the program's administrative duties, including academics, camps and team travel. Yantis adds familiarity with the SEC to the staff as her last assignment was as the top assistant coach at Georgia in 2006. Prior to her stint at Georgia, Yantis was at the University of Miami, where she was an assistant coach for three seasons. In 2002, Yantis helped guide the Hurricanes to an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance. At Miami, Yantis was primarily responsible for coaching the outside hitters, and two of her athletes were selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Northeast Region team. One was also selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Year. Yantis was an assistant at Duke during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, where she coached the outside hitters and helped the Blue Devils to an NCAA Tournament appearance. Yantis' coaching career began at the University of Pennsylvania where she was an assistant coach from 1998-1999. A standout player at Drexel from 1994-97, Yantis recorded 30 kills in a match four times in her career. A member of the team from 1994-1997, she was the first player in America East Conference history to be named all-conference three consecutive years. Yantis earned the Mary Semanki award, which is given to Drexel's most outstanding female athlete. Yantis holds the record for all-time kills and digs, and was named the Dragons' most valuable player for three straight years. |
 
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