By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
Brooke Bailey made as big of an impact as an athlete as one possibly could in her four years at Woodruff High School. Now a 2020 graduate, Bailey will look to make that same positive impression on future Wolverines.
Bailey, who has been a member of the Spartanburg Methodist College softball team, will take over as the head middle school volleyball coach for Tonja Westmoreland, who was named the new head coach at Woodruff High School earlier in the spring.
Bailey, who was equally a star in volleyball, basketball, and softball, is grateful for the opportunity to pour back into the program where she got her start as an athlete.
“I am able to use my experiences as a volleyball player to help my girls grow in the game, and particularly in their mindset of the game,” she said. “Volleyball is a mental sport. I am able to teach my girls that when things get tough, you have to push through.”
Bailey was a tough player for opposing teams to handle, as well. Bailey was a multi-time all-region selection in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She terrorized opponents at the net, using her 6-foot-1 inch height advantage to crush passes that came her way.
In basketball, Bailey played varsity for four seasons and finished as the third all-time rebounder in school history. In softball, she played shortstop primarily over her last several seasons. She was also among the power-hitting leaders for the Lady Wolverines, an effort that earned her a scholarship to play collegiately for the Pioneers.
Bailey even sees her youth as an advantage when coaching younger players, especially from a relatability standpoint.
“The best asset I can offer to my girls is the experience that I have,” Bailey said. “I am fresh off the court and ready to give back.”
Bailey inherits a middle school program that has kept the Woodruff volleyball pipeline loaded with talent. The Lady Cubs have won multiple regular season and Foothills Conference championships in the past decade and produced players that have gone on to be among the best in program history since its inception in the early 1990s.
Brooke is excited to keep that tradition of success and winning alive.
“I am super excited,” added Bailey. “I am ready to give back to the program that gave so much to me. I had many coaches give their time and effort that helped me grow as an athlete, so it is my time to do that now.”
Bailey also credits her family and extended support system for always being there for her, and knowing that she has that support system in place as she begins her coaching career is a blessing, she says. As the season is set to begin, so is Bailey, and the Lady Cubs are undoubtedly in good hands.
“My parents and my Grampy and Granny have had so much positive influence on me,” said Brooke. “They have always been there to push me and never let me back down. They know the dreams I have always had, and they continue to push me to pursue them. (Woodruff head girls basketball coach Jon Jansen) had a huge impact on me as an athlete. He always pushed me to be the best athlete I could be. I will forever be thankful for everyone’s positive influence on me.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
