By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
As it celebrates the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the American Volleyball Coaches Association will recognize 15 pioneers at the Final Four this week in Omaha, Neb. These women helped the sport grow from an afterthought to having its championship game televised by ESPN.
They will be honored as "Godmothers of Volleyball." Debbie Hill, who coached 30 of William & Mary's first 33 varsity seasons, will be one of them.
"A couple of weeks ago, the people from the AVCA sent out a note about 15 of us being named a godmother," she said. "At first, I thought 'that's so silly,' but actually it's very special. A lot of those women, far more than I, were movers and shakers in the volleyball world. But we also did our part here at William & Mary.
"Often we don't look back and ask 'where did we come from?' I think it's great that the leadership in AVCA, spearheaded by Executive Director Kathy DeBoer and the board of directors, are making conscious decisions with the 50th anniversary of Title IX."
As for the label "godmother," that suits Hill just fine.
"Godmother means looking out for everyone and having this protective sense about the game," she said. "And having presided somewhat over the transition of our program from the AIAW to the NCAA."
Hill coached W&M's volleyball from 1976-2007 (with a pair of one-year hiatuses) and compiled a record of 587-413 record. When she retired, her victory total was 23rd all-time in Division I.
Hill was a five-time Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year and the Tribe won consecutive conference championships from 1985-91 in addition to 2001. She was voted into the William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame for the Class of 2014.
But Hill is more interested in discussing her former players who are currently having success in the coaching ranks. One of them will be taking center stage in Omaha.
Jennifer Torns Petrie '92, a two-time CAA Player of the Year as an outside hitter, is in her 24th season as head coach at San Diego. The Toreros (31-1) are in the Final Four for the first time in program history and will play Texas Thursday at 7 p.m. in Omaha.
Petrie, who is 478-163 (.745) in 24 seasons, was named the AVCA Division I Coach of the Year Thursday afternoon.
"Their motto is 'why not us?'" Hill said. "She's put together a great group of kids. Some of them have been with her four years and some have come from the portal.
"It's a great blend of very talented people. What binds them together is what a great coach Jennifer is."
San Diego advanced to its first-ever Final Four by defeating Stanford 3-2 in the national quarterfinals. The Toreros trailed two sets to one before winning the fourth (25-23) and fifth (15-9).
"San Diego is really David against Goliath story," Hill said. "Even though they were ranked high during the year, many people didn't think they'd make it to the finals."
Petrie is considered a top candidate for AVCA Division I Coach of the Year, which is set to be announced Thursday afternoon.
Also getting some national attention in Omaha is Trinity (Texas) University coach Julie Jenkins '81, who was named the AVCA's Division III Coach of the Year. She had previously won the award in 1999.
In October, Jenkins became the 10th coach among all divisions to win 1,000 games.
Jane Fanestil Peterson '86, head coach at Central Lakes College in Minnesota, was named the AVCA's Two-Year College Coach of the Year in 2007. She's a three-time winner of the National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year. Central Lakes has won two national championships.
"The godmother has sent volleyball coaches into the world," Hill said. "And they're very, very good."
