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'There's a passion for volleyball': Why Athens-area teams are ready to contend for state titles - ABH
Athens Academy stakes claim to Athens area's only state volleyball title.
The area has been shutout since the Spartans' 2002 state title, the 10th season the Georgia High School Association recognized the sport for championships.
As volleyball grows in Clarke and the five surrounding counties, that lone state title among the 14 GHSA high schools in the area could likely soon get company.
And it could happen this season.
The sport has long been dominated by Atlanta schools, both public and private, because the wealth of club teams in the state's capital is a hot spot for top volleyball's players.
In recent years, the sport has expanded toward the Athens area and, while clubs are popping up closer to Northeast Georgia, many of the area's top talent will make the trek to Atlanta to play for some of the country's premier teams.
That's the main reason why Athens Academy (12th), Oconee County (19th) and Prince Avenue Christian (35th) are currently ranked inside the top 50 in Maxpreps all-classification rankings, and how others like Jefferson and Jackson County reached the state semifinals in recent seasons.
"I think that in the offseason from high school that they’re getting a lot more involved," said Athens Academy coach Jane Thomas. "I think there’s a passion for volleyball right now in this age group. I think that they’re playing more than just in the high school season and they're loving it."
Prince Avenue's Anna Greer Vandagriff and Oconee County's Grace Wenrich, both club members of nationally-ranked A5 Volleyball in Alpharetta, are currently top-10 GHSA stat leaders in Georgia. Vandagriff, an Eastern Kentucky commit, ranks third with 225 kills while Wenrich's 365 assists rank seventh.
Thomas's daughter, Mara, stands fourth in assists so far this season with 455.
Prince Avenue's Anna Greer Vandagriff and Oconee County's Grace Wenrich, both club members of nationally-ranked A5 Volleyball in Alpharetta, are currently top-10 GHSA stat leaders in Georgia. Vandagriff, an Eastern Kentucky commit, ranks third with 225 kills while Wenrich's 365 assists rank seventh.
Thomas's daughter, Mara, stands fourth in assists so far this season with 455.
Prince Avenue coach Morgan Garretson, an Athens native, has seen volleyball interest rise in younger age groups as the fast-paced sport grabs the attention of parents and children alike.
With UGA volleyball having recent success, and with the Bulldogs moving home games from the Ramsey Center to Stegeman Coliseum to add more seating and family involvement, Garretson believes that's helped local kids find a love for the game.
"I think when you get to watch good, competitive volleyball that it opens people’s eyes to what the game actually is," Garretson said. "The game itself here has grown so much. The more and more that people are getting exposed to it the more they’re like, wow, that’s exciting, that’s a very fast-paced game. That’s really intriguing and draws people in because there’s always something happening on the court."
Currently ranked second in Class 3A, behind only Sandy Creek of Tyrone, just south of Atlanta, Oconee County has a much tougher schedule than it did last season when it finished 31-9 but fell in the second round of the state tournament.
Oconee County coach Mark Oglesby wanted to challenge the Warriors this season in order to prepare them for the Atlanta teams they're sure to face in the playoffs.
Adding to that strength is Athens-area teams such as Athens Academy, Prince Avenue, Jefferson and Jackson County, taking some of the burden off of traveling 70 miles west each week to find demanding competition.
Adding to that strength is Athens-area teams such as Athens Academy, Prince Avenue, Jefferson and Jackson County, taking some of the burden off of traveling 70 miles west each week to find demanding competition.
"For us, one thing, and why we’re ranked as high as we are, is that that I made a concerted effort to strengthen our schedule," Oglesby said. "Our strength of schedule is so much better than it was last year."
Coaches know that Atlanta is still the powerhouse area, but as competition increases around Athens and area teams continue their rise as state contenders, a state title could be around the corner.
"We’ve been very fortunate with volleyball in our area because it has definitely gotten pretty good," Thomas said. "All of the matches are usually pretty competitive, and that’s been really nice."
Athens Academy
Athens Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in K3 through 12th grade, located on a beautiful 152-acre campus in Northeast Georgia. For over 50 years, Athens Academy has pursued its mission of Excellence with Honor through academics, athletics, fine arts, and service and leadership.
