2 weeks Ago
Aiken High volleyball coach Jeremy Rinder told a story Tuesday about a young setter on his roster on a few years ago. She was playing the position well but had the potential to do more in another role, so Rinder had a conversation with her about becoming a libero/defensive specialist to help the program. She bolstered the back line and helped the Hornets win the Class AAAA championship as a sophomore, and she'll attempt to do it again in the coming weeks as a senior.
And then it's off to the college ranks for Baylee Rabun to join a USC Aiken program that routinely ranks among the nation's best defensively. She was celebrated for signing to join the Pacers in a ceremony held the day before the Region 4-AAAA champion Hornets' playoff opener. "It's just really exciting," she said.
"It's been a long time coming, a long process, very long, sleepless nights, but I'm proud that it's done and I get to go - I've known ever since I knew I wanted to play college volleyball, it was either like here or I wasn't doing it because Aiken's just home. I love Aiken. I couldn't imagine not being in Aiken, so I'm just really excited.
" Rabun will soon decide whether she wants to study business or early childhood education. She said she loves working with little kids but also would one day like to have her own boutique. Rinder described her as a leader by example who has shown plenty of persistence and grit to respond the way she did to a position change.
Criminal trials of 2 prominent Aiken residents have been delayed again Early voting begins in Aiken County with long lines at the Aiken County Government Center Tropical Storm Helene response: Aiken County administrator discusses debris removal and complaints Aiken County ballots will include four questions this November. Here's what each question means. Do you live in Aiken County and want to vote in the election? Here's what you need to know.
Aiken's Tropical Storm Helene costs are already nearing $750,000 Savannah River Site nuclear waste contractor indicates completion date doubts North Augusta woman dies in Friday single-vehicle wreck The Mane Event celebrates USC Aiken's equestrians, raises funds SRS support contractor makes donation to FOTAS "She 100% embraced that and took that and has gone and played that position at the highest levels, winning state championships and playing in open tournaments," he said. "Persistence and grit and a lot of hard work that I know a lot of girls look up to." Current Pacers Izabella De Lima, Sidney Hogan and Tabor Scanlon were on hand to support and congratulate Rabun, who has become a leader of a talented position group at Aiken High.
"I have become so close with the whole team," she said. "They're a young team, too, and seriously some of my best friends already so I can only imagine how it's going to be whenever I'm there. The coaching staff, I just love.
I had Kelsey (Spurlin Yarbrough) here (as an assistant coach) when I was a freshman and sophomore, and I love her coaching style. I love Coach (Glenn) Cox. I just think it's going to be a really great opportunity.
" "I think it's a really good fit for her," Rinder added. "Coach Cox is really good at defense and getting his teams to play really good defense. I think one of the things she'll be able to do is go in there and compete and push others that are around her, and I think she is open to that competition and ready to embrace that competition.
I don't think she'll shy away or back down or any of that sort of thing. I think she's going to go in there and try to establish herself in what is a great defense, and that's kind of where I see her headed. .
.. I'm excited to see her go in there and make her mark and add to what is a really great program, for sure.
" Rabun said being the libero on the state championship team as a sophomore, after not seeing the floor in the title game the previous season, helped change her mentality not only as a person but as an athlete. It showed her that nobody was going to give anything to her and everybody else wanted it just as badly, which pushed her to work harder and keep going. Up next is one last playoff run.
Rabun said she was talking with her mom about the signing when she decided she wanted to have it before the postseason, which begins Wednesday at home against Crestwood. "I'm looking forward to it. All these girls are definitely my best friends," she said.
"I consider every single one of them very close. I call almost all of them on the daily. Just being able to play with my best friends for the past four years has honestly been amazing.
High school, there's a lot of drama, but really on this team it's like we all get along great, we're all each others' best friends, we're all together on every weekend. I'm just excited.".
