Greenbrier undaunted by loss of nucleus, new classification

The banner hanging in Greenbrier's gym shows the Wolfpack volleyball team has won a region championship every odd year this decade.

//

Coach Debbie Born laughed when the every-other-year dominance was mentioned before her team's home matches against Aquinas and Morgan County on Wednesday, feigning worry of a jinx.

But the 2008 Wolfpack aren't worried about possible hexes, or even-numbered years, or those who said before the season this would be a rebuilding year after the team graduated seven seniors and had a key player move away.

"We refused to do that," Born said. "We're going to keep going on with our tradition. We're not going to be mediocre."

Born's team jumped out to a 5-0 start in its new region, 2-AAAAA, after one dominating day of play on Aug. 30, when it swept five region matches.

Of the five matches, Union Grove was the only squad to push the Wolfpack to three games. The Wolfpack had another big day Saturday, with four region matches at Warner Robins.

The day capped a week of eight matches for the Wolfpack, who had a layoff from competition of more than a week beforehand. After three days off, the team showed up sluggish for practice on Monday.

"I think a lot of people were falling apart because we had such a long break," senior Molly Buckner said. "It took us a while to get started talking again."

The Wolfpack returned for their two matches Tuesday, and Born held a rare pre-match practice. Greenbrier responded by dispatching Morgan County and Aquinas in a pair of sweeps. The Wolfpack beat Morgan County 25-8, 25-6 and finished off Aquinas 25-13, 25-13.

"I'm pleased with the way they played," Born said. "They went home and reflected on it and were ready to play."

Born admitted many of her players didn't have a lot of experience at the top level, but that hasn't stopped her from using everyone on the roster. Buckner is the team's senior leader, but she's gotten support from the likes of Kailyn Blackmon, whom Born calls her "do-it-all girl."

"Everybody has played a part and done what they need to do," Born said. "Everybody plays. That's always been the Greenbrier way."