Athlete Spotlight

Melissa Lewis isn't sure what her favorite sport is.

The Greenbrier senior is a starter on both the Lady Wolfpack volleyball and basketball teams.

"I can't pick between them," Lewis said. "They're both fun, but they're so different."

The two sports do have something in common: both come naturally to Lewis.

Basketball is her first love. She's been playing the game since she was 7 years old. Volleyball has been a big part of her life in high school, but Lewis didn't pick up the game until seventh grade.

That didn't stop her from dominating.

"Her skills are still coming along," Greenbrier volleyball coach Debbie Born said. "She's just an all-around athlete."

During her senior year, Lewis tallied 235 kills, 70 aces, 319 digs and 66 blocks in 94 games and was named to the All-Region 2-AAAA team.

She's also the team's vocal leader. After almost every point, Lewis' loud encouragement can be heard directed toward the other five Wolfpack players on the floor.

"I've had that role since I first started playing here," Lewis said.

That role has paid off for Greenbrier. The Lady Wolfpack won the Region 2-AAAA Tournament this season with a 2-1 win over Lakeside High School.

The team also grabbed a state playoff victory in a 2-0 sweep over Eagles Landing in the first round of the state sectional tournament.

Lewis' efforts also have been rewarded with some attention from coaches at the next level.

Two NCAA Division I schools, Georgia Southern in Statesboro and Highpoint University in Highpoint, N.C., have expressed interest in Lewis.

Paine College, Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and Augusta State University also hope to have the Greenbrier senior next fall.

Lewis said she wants to go to Georgia Southern on a volleyball scholarship and walk on to the basketball team.

"I haven't heard anything official," Lewis said. "That's where I would like to go play volleyball."

Before Lewis can secure a free education, she has to prepare for Greenbrier's upcoming basketball season. The Lady Wolfpack reached the Elite Eight for the first time last season with Lewis starting at center.

With only one starter gone from last season's squad, a repeat trip through the state tournament seems almost inevitable.

"Melissa's production is very important for our success," Greenbrier basketball coach Garrett Black said. "One of her best skills is running the floor. It enables us to do a lot of things in terms of playing a full-court game."

Lewis won't jump right in to basketball season just yet.

"I feel like they've been going full speed since July," Black said. "Those kids need a break."

The Greenbrier volleyball season was a long one. This year, the Lady Wolfpack played 96 games in 40 matches during a 73-day period.

"Physically I'm ready, but emotionally I need the break," Lewis said.

Lewis and the Greenbrier Lady Wolfpack will return to the basketball court for their first game against Lakeside on Friday, Nov. 18.