April Yantis enters her second year with the Auburn volleyball team and is in her first as the Director of Operations. Yantis served as assistant coach for the 2008 season and was team manager in 2007. 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 Auburn head coach Wade Benson. "Her on-court training and office work is impeccable."
As the team manager for the 2007 season, Yantis was responsible for team travel arrangements and meals, as well as team support during practices and matches.
She came to Auburn following a season at the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs went 6-25 in 2006, 2-18 in the SEC.
Prior to her stint at UGA, Yantis spent two seasons at Virginia Tech as an assistant coach. Her primary duties with the team while in Blacksburg were recruiting and working with the outside hitters.
Before joining the Hokies, Yantis spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Miami. In 2002, Yantis helped guide the Hurricanes to an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance.
She 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. A player was also selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Year.
Before her tenure at Miami, Yantis was an assistant at Duke University during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. At Duke, she coached the outside hitters and helped the Blue Devils to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
She planned practices, scouted opponents and assisted with recruiting. She was also a team liaison for the marketing and promotions, sports information and equipment departments.
She also worked youth summer volleyball camps during her time at both Duke and Miami.
Yantis' coaching career began at the University of Pennsylvania where she was an assistant coach from 1998-1999. She was given the Excellence In Service Award for her dedication to the program. While coaching the Quakers, Yantis was the head coach of the Golden Eagles Volleyball Club.
A standout player at Drexel, 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 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.
Edgard da Gama e Silva Filho enters his second season with the Auburn volleyball program after being promoted to assistant coach. Silva spent his first season with the team as a volunteer assistant coach.