Born: 1958 (South Korea)
Biography:
Debbie Green-Vargas (born June 25, 1958) is a former American volleyball player and coach. She is regarded as the greatest American women’s volleyball setter of all time. Green-Vargas was a member of the U.S. National Team and won the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Early Life:
Debbie Green was born in South Korea in 1958. She grew up in California and attended Westminster 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 an All-American, becoming the youngest player ever to be honored with that title.
Collegiate Career:
Despite her small stature, Green was a two-time All-American setter at USC. She revolutionized the game with her jump set, allowing her to meet the ball higher in the vertical plane and create a higher tempo in the offense. This innovative technique consistently created advantageous opportunities for her hitters.
In 1977, Green led the Trojans to an impressive 38-0 record and an AIAW National Championship. Her team’s perfect season was the first in college volleyball history. The following year, in 1978, Green led the Trojans to their second national championship. Her exceptional skills and contributions to the team earned her the prestigious Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) as the nation’s best female collegiate volleyball player in 1978.
Olympic Career:
Green had a spot on the roster for the 1980 Olympic team but was devastated when the United States boycotted the Games. In 1984, she finally had the opportunity to represent her country at the Olympics. Green played a crucial role in helping Team USA secure the silver medal, marking the best finish in U.S. women’s volleyball history at the time. This achievement was later matched by the 2008 team and eventually surpassed by the 2021 team’s gold medal.
Professional Career:
After her successful collegiate and Olympic careers, Green played for the Los Angeles Starlites of the Major League Volleyball (MLV), a women’s professional indoor league. She played a pivotal role in helping the team claim the league’s first two championships in 1987 and 1988.
Following her playing career, Green-Vargas transitioned into coaching. She served as an assistant coach for the Long Beach State women’s volleyball team for 23 years, retiring after the 2008-09 season. Her coaching expertise and dedication to the sport left a lasting impact on the players she mentored.
Personal Life:
Green-Vargas earned a BA in communications from Long Beach State in 1992. She married Joe Vargas and together they have two children, Nicole and Dana. Nicole followed in her mother’s footsteps and played setter at Long Beach State, where Green-Vargas worked as an assistant coach. Dana also excelled as a setter, competing for UCSB.
Legacy and Recognition:
Debbie Green-Vargas’s remarkable contributions to the sport of volleyball have granted her a lasting legacy. In 1986, she was selected to the United States Volleyball Association Hall of Fame and received the All-Time Great Volleyball Player award. Additionally, on April 30, 1998, Green became the first woman to enter the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame.
Awards:
– Olympic Silver Medal (1984)
– AIAW National Championship (1977)
– National Championship (1978)
– Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) – Best Female Collegiate Volleyball Player (1978)