Born rightly deserves credit for Greenbrier volleyball 's continued success

It wasn't always this easy for Greenbrier volleyball.

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Coach Debbie Born had four players come out for her first team, shortly after the school opened. The Wolfpack did not win a match that year.

There wasn't a lot of interest in volleyball then. And most of the female athletes opted for softball.

But Born went to work talking up the team in the hallways and recruiting girls from physical education classes and those girls who didn't make the softball team.

"(I'd) grab every tall girl in the hallway, see if she had a little bit of athleticism and go from there," Born said.

The Wolfpack won their first region title in 2000 and have won seven the past 10 years. Born's team was eliminated this year in the quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA state playoffs, their highest finish since reaching the semifinals in 2002.

Interest in the program has long since stuck. This season they boasted nine seniors, all of who had played together since they were freshman.

The result was a 43-5 record, the highest winning percentage in the school's 14 years, and a level of fan support Born has not seen before.

The student section was filled for each home match and the students were involved in every point. They rushed the floor after the Wolfpack won a thrilling five-set victory over South Forsyth to open the state playoffs.

"We have never had this many people," senior Kailyn Blackmon said.

The atmosphere this season probably was much different than it was 14 years ago. And Born deserves the credit for that.

Parents of high school athletes are understandably quick to tout the accomplishments of their sons and daughters. In my interaction, Greenbrier's volleyball parents have always first pointed to Born.

Rec department attracts honors

The Columbia County Recreation Department received a couple accolades recently.

Patriots Park was voted by Augusta Magazine as the area's Best Park and Recreation Facility.

Also, Georgia Parks and Recreation named Columbia County the outstanding department for the first district. GPRA is made up of seven districts in Georgia.

Recreation department officials recently told the county's hospitality committee that recreation department events brought the county more than $2 million during the past year. The county will play host to the Dixie Ponytails World Series in 2010, as well as more regional fishing tournaments.

UGA lacrosse coming to county for clinics

University of Georgia's men's lacrosse team will hold a pair of clinics this month at Greenbrier High School.

The clinics will be held Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $40 for both days. Registration is required by Wednesday.

For information, e-mail Glenn Vaught at glenn.vaught@ccboe.net.