University of Tennessee Athletics
Volleyball Transfer Breana Runnels Signs with Tennessee
June 22, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Outside hitter Breana Runnels, a graduate transfer from Colorado State, has signed with Tennessee and plans to enroll for summer semester two.
"We are thrilled to be adding Breana Runnels to our program," Tennessee head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. "Our first introduction to Bre was in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. In her redshirt sophomore year, she had 21 kills and six blocks against us in a fantastic five-set match. She went on to have an unbelievable career at Colorado State. I am glad she will be able to pursue her Master's degree at Tennessee and join our Lady Vol family."
The 5-10 Bakersfield, California, native spent the past five seasons with Colorado State, redshirting her freshman season in 2016. During her time with the Rams, Runnels was named Mountain West All-Conference four times and earned AVCA All-Pacific North Region accolades in 2019 and AVCA All-Pacific North Region Honorable Mention honors in 2018.
In 2018 and 2019, Runnels posted 454 and 417 kills, respectively, averaging 4.05 and 3.79 kills per set in those seasons. In her first year playing for CSU in 2017, Runnels scored 367 kills and in the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season, she tallied 166.
For her career, Runnels has 1,404 kills and averages 3.71 kills per set. She ranks 17th among active Division I kills leaders.
"In high school I was really drawn to the volleyball program itself," Runnels said. "With the opportunity that was presented to me and the timing, it all fell into place. Everyone had the same energy and passion about the University of Tennessee and being able to be a part of a community that has modeled the support of women's sports is exciting. I can't wait to be a Lady Vol!"
In addition to Runnels, Tennessee's crop of newcomers next season includes incoming freshmen Emily Beeker, Izzy Durnell, Ashllyn King, Ava Moes and Klaudia Pawlik, and fellow graduate transfer Nicole Shanahan.
"We are thrilled to be adding Breana Runnels to our program," Tennessee head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. "Our first introduction to Bre was in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. In her redshirt sophomore year, she had 21 kills and six blocks against us in a fantastic five-set match. She went on to have an unbelievable career at Colorado State. I am glad she will be able to pursue her Master's degree at Tennessee and join our Lady Vol family."
The 5-10 Bakersfield, California, native spent the past five seasons with Colorado State, redshirting her freshman season in 2016. During her time with the Rams, Runnels was named Mountain West All-Conference four times and earned AVCA All-Pacific North Region accolades in 2019 and AVCA All-Pacific North Region Honorable Mention honors in 2018.
In 2018 and 2019, Runnels posted 454 and 417 kills, respectively, averaging 4.05 and 3.79 kills per set in those seasons. In her first year playing for CSU in 2017, Runnels scored 367 kills and in the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season, she tallied 166.
For her career, Runnels has 1,404 kills and averages 3.71 kills per set. She ranks 17th among active Division I kills leaders.
"In high school I was really drawn to the volleyball program itself," Runnels said. "With the opportunity that was presented to me and the timing, it all fell into place. Everyone had the same energy and passion about the University of Tennessee and being able to be a part of a community that has modeled the support of women's sports is exciting. I can't wait to be a Lady Vol!"
In addition to Runnels, Tennessee's crop of newcomers next season includes incoming freshmen Emily Beeker, Izzy Durnell, Ashllyn King, Ava Moes and Klaudia Pawlik, and fellow graduate transfer Nicole Shanahan.
Players Mentioned
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