Augusta, Ga. - Augusta senior volleyball player Layne Witherspoon grew up with athletics in her blood. Her dad Will, played football at the University of Georgia, her mom Rebecca, played volleyball for the Bulldogs. Witherspoon was destined to be an athlete. It just took her a while to figure out it would be volleyball.

She played softball for a year but readily said she didn't like it. She also ran track for three years in high school. One day Witherspoon's mom said she'd coach her if she chose volleyball and she was off to the races.
 

"It's the only sport I did for most of my life," said Witherspoon. "I didn't want to do anything else because I liked it and I was good at it."

Witherspoon is the oldest of three sisters and they too play volleyball. The middle sister is now a sophomore at Vanderbilt while her youngest sister is a senior in high school. Yes, there was some sibling rivalry and even had a blowup on the court among the girls. But for most part, Witherspoon said they just try to make each other better.

This will be Witherspoon's senior year with the Jaguars and she wants to make it a memorable one. She's received several accolades the last two years, including being an All-Peach Belt Conference player as well honorable mention All-American. But she's not resting on any of that as she approaches her final year. She's also usually a goal-oriented person and is just now thinking about this final semester of playing a sport she's been in love with for most of her life.

"It's my last season playing volleyball so just bringing everything I have every time because it is literally my last season and I won't have it after this. If I'm not giving it 100% of something I love, then why do it?" said Witherspoon.



She also knows her role will be different being a senior but doesn't want to overplay that and just wants to be the best teammate possible. She realizes the leadership role comes with being a senior but also wants the rest of her teammates to take some initiative themselves since they'll soon be in her shoes.

Witherspoon is from Missouri and is a kinesiology major. Instead of going home this summer, she spent the year in Augusta trying to get ahead with her classwork. Knowing what the demands are on a collegiate student-athlete, she's hoping to make her senior season a smooth one as she continues to balance both. She even admits staying in Augusta this summer has been a break of sorts for her.

"It's been pretty relaxing, honestly," said Witherspoon. "I got a taste of adult life and life after volleyball and I'm kind of excited."

Looking back at her time at AU, Witherspoon said she's not sure she'd be the person she is today and is glad she had the opportunity with the program.

After graduating, she does plan to continue her education, but most likely will take a gap year. Her thirst for volleyball may be off her immediate plate at the end of the year but will be able to follow her sisters and watch them play. She admits she'll miss it greatly.

"It's kind of hitting me now knowing this is my last season. I was kind of like this summer, oh whatever, I have more time, but now it's hitting me," said Witherspoon. "But I'll always be in it. I'll have at least five years of volleyball following my sisters." 
 
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