AUGUSTA, Ga. – AUGUSTA, Ga. – More than 150 volleyball players from eight Richmond County schools visited Augusta University on Sept. 4 for the Jaguars' noon home opener against Lee University. The midday match allowed the student-athletes to attend as part of their school day and experience college volleyball firsthand.
Students from Westside, Cross Creek, T.W. Josey, Glenn Hills, Hephzibah, A.R. Johnson, Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School and Laney attended the Augusta volleyball team's noon home opener against Lee University.
The visit was coordinated through Augusta University's Office of Educational Pathways and Outreach in collaboration with Augusta Athletics. Before the match, students from Cross Creek participated in a Spotlight experience hosted by the Department of Kinesiology.
"Our Pathway programs engage students here on campus with authentic student experiences that are informative and fun," said Angela Stewart, program manager for Educational Pathways and Outreach. "They are designed to increase access and preparation for an effective college search.
"The students of Cross Creek High School were students for the day in Kinesiology. They cultivated a better sense of what being a student at AU will be like, including unique opportunities they can access, such as the coaching certificate."
Following the academic portion of the visit, the Cross Creek students joined volleyball programs from across the county for the match. The group watched Augusta rally from a two-set deficit to defeat Lee 3-2 in the Jaguars' first home match of the season.
"It was truly special to bring together collegiate volleyball and the local high schools for one day," Augusta head coach Sharon Quarles said. "The turnout and support for the Jaguars, and for the sport of volleyball as a whole, was very uplifting. The cheers and excitement that filled the arena were great to witness. Go Jags!"
The collaboration gave the visiting students a chance to learn more about Augusta University, experience a college classroom and support the Jaguars alongside other volleyball players from throughout Richmond County.
