| Debbie Green-Vargas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Deborah Green (-Vargas) | ||
| Nationality | American | ||
| Born | June 25, 1958 (1958-06-25) (age 67) Seoul, South Korea[1] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | ||
| College / University | University of Southern California | ||
| Volleyball information | |||
| Position | Setter | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| National team | |||
| |||
Medal record | |||
Debbie Green-Vargas (born June 25, 1958) is an American retiredvolleyball player and coach. She is regarded as the greatest American women's volleyball setter of all time.[2][3][4] Green-Vargas was a member of theUnited States women's national volleyball team and won a silver medal at the1984 Los Angeles Olympics.[5]
Green-Vargas also won a bronze medal at the1982 FIVB World Championship in Peru and a silver medal in the1983 Pan American Games inCaracas.[6]
In 1995, Green-Vargas was inducted into theInternational Volleyball Hall of Fame.[7]
Debbie Green-Vargas was born inSeoul, South Korea in 1958.[1] She grew up in California and attendedWestminster High School. At the age of 16 Green-Vargas was a part of the Adidas Junior Team which swept the USVBA Nationals. She was named anAll-American, the youngest player ever to be so honored.[8]
Despite her small stature, Green-Vargas was a two-time All-American setter atUSC. She perfected the jump set, allowing her to meet the ball higher in the vertical plane and create a higher tempo in the offense. In doing so she was able to consistently create opportunities advantageous for her hitters. In 1977, Green-Vargas led the Trojans to a 38–0 record and anAIAW National Championships. Hers was the first college volleyball team to ever register a perfect season. Green-Vargas led the Trojans to their second national championship the following year in 1978. She won the Broderick Award, (now theHonda Sports Award) as the nation's best female collegiate volleyball player in 1978.[8][9][10]
Green-Vargas was on the roster for the 1980 Olympic, but was disappointed by the1980 Olympic boycott. In 1984, Green-Vargas helped team USA to a silver medal, at the time the best finish in U.S. women's volleyball history.[8]
Green-Vargas played for theLos Angeles Starlites ofMajor League Volleyball (MLV), a women's professional indoor league, and helped the squad earn the league's first two championships in 1987 and 1988.[8]
In 1986, Green-Vargas was selected to the United States Volleyball Association Hall of Fame, and in the spring of 1986 received the All-Time Great Volleyball Player award. On April 30, 1998, Green-Vargas became the first woman to enter the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame.[8]
Green-Vargas was an assistant coach for theLong Beach State women's volleyball team for 23 years, retiring after the 2008–09 season.[11]
Green-Vargas married Joe Vargas and has two children, Nicole and Dana.[1] Nicole played setter at Long Beach State, where Green-Vargas worked as an assistant coach.[1] Dana was a setter for UCSB.[1][11]
