HENDERSON — As they look forward to the fall and a new season, head volleyball coach Amanda Bretherick and her assistant
Will White have been hard on the recruiting trail where they have found five new Lady Lions.
Landynn Hodges looks to join FHU's front row as a 6-0 middle blocker. Hailing from Kennett, Missouri, Hodges owns the Holcomb High School career record for kills and blocks with over 1,000 kills and 200 blocks. All four years of high school she helped the Hornets win the district championship. For the last three years of her prep career she was honored as All-District First Team with her freshman campaign ending with a second team nod.
Hodges said, "I feel very excited and honored to be given the opportunity to play at Freed-Hardeman. This is such a great program and such a great environment that I fell in love with as soon as I got to campus. I am so excited for this next chapter and to see what the next few years will hold."
"Landynn came to camp this summer and immediately impressed us," said Coach Bretherick. "She is a formidable presence at the net with good speed. We are excited to watch her continue to grow and dominate in the middle."
Laila Howard joins the Lady Lions from Cumberland County High School. Splitting time as a defensive specialist and a setter, the 5-4 Howard is in CCHS's record book as the career leader in assists, service aces, and digs. In addition, she holds the Jets' record for most aces and assists in a single season. She was twice named to the All-District Team while being 2025's District Setter of the Year.
"I feel super excited to join the Freed-Hardeman community and surround myself with girls on the team who have the same values as I," said Howard. "I look forward to being able to grow as a person in my faith and all aspects of life!"
Coach Bretherick said, "Laila is such a versatile player with good energy. She will be able to help solidify our back row in multiple ways. We are pumped to have her joining us next season!"
Joining the Lady Lion back row will be Alexis Brianna (BJ) Jackson. Hailing from Hackleburg, Alabama, the 4-11 defensive specialist has been named to the All-Area, All-County, and All-North Alabama Conference teams.
Jackson says, "I am so excited to be joining FHU! With God, all things are possible. Roar Lions!"
"BJ is a tenacious defender," adds Coach Bretherick. "She has a can-do attitude and desires to better herself and her teammates. I am excited to see how she pushes our passers in the future."
Maddilynn Elizabeth Jones joins Freed-Hardeman from Diana, Texas. She competed for the Pine Cove and the Titus Outcast Volleyball clubs. Off the court, Jones excels as a model who has participated in Dallas Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and plans to visit France where she will participate in Paris Fashion Week.
"I've always been taught, 'You can have anything you want as long as you're willing to work for it,'" said Jones. "I had always dreamed of playing collegiate volleyball. I worked hard with extra practices and private lessons every year with this goal in mind. I had to overcome several hurdles during my high school years of volleyball, but I didn't lose sight of my goal and my dream. Playing volleyball for Freed-Hardeman University is a dream come true. It is truly an answered prayer."
Coach Bretherick added, "We met Maddilynn at camp this summer and loved the dynamic level of her play. She is springy with a bright energy on the court. She will be a fun addition to our front row!"
Hazel Green High School's Olivia Saint joins FHU's front row after a career that ended as 6A Alabama State Runners-Up. The 6-3 outside hitter amassed 496 kills and 117 blocks during her prep years where she was named to Madison County's All-County Team in 2023 and 2025. For all four years she helped the Trojans claim the 6A Area 16 title while winning the Madison County Championship three times.
Saint said of her new home, "I am blessed to commit to FHU, where I can answer the call to grow spiritually and athletically. The Christ-centered atmosphere provided by the coaches and my future teammates assured me this is exactly where I am meant to be. Coach Amanda and Coach Will have made me feel like part of the FHU family from day one and I can't wait to play for them and be a part of Lion Country!"
Coach Bretherick said, "Olivia brings high-level experience from an elite high school program. She will be a force in the front row. We are excited to bring such a determined competitor to our program."
