Four-year varsity player and former captain
Alicia Wright (’07) was so important to the team that Darlington’s volleyball program retired her No. 15 jersey during the Sept. 13 match against Adairsville.
"I was extremely honored and proud to see No. 15 retired; it's one of my most valued accomplishments," said Wright. "The Darlington volleyball program was such a huge part of my experience as a student. Being a player gave me the opportunity to push myself both physically and mentally, as well as compete with my friends next to me on the court ... Darlington volleyball is really something special."
A three-year varsity letter winner, Wright set 10 school records during her high school career, helped carry her team to four state playoff events, and was twice named Player of the Year by both the Rome News-Tribune and Area 6AA/A. She and her teammates also won the Area title for three consecutive years, earning Darlington a top 10 state ranking in AA/A.
“Alicia came in at a time when the volleyball program at Darlington experienced a rebirth and a growth in achievement and ability,” said head coach Jim Linos. “In her time here, she had numerous accomplishments, highlighted by two trips to the state quarterfinals and being named the first player in school history to record 1,000 kills. Because of these and her great leadership, knowledge, experience, dedication and commitment, we retire her No. 15 jersey forever.”
Wright was more than just a great volleyball player who set records on the court. She was also an honor student who helped Darlington’s volleyball program achieve national recognition four times by earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Team Academic Achievement Award.
“We miss her greatly,” said Linos. “Alicia’s competitiveness, her fire, and her leadership have never gone unnoticed. She will forever walk this court and remain an invaluable member of the Darlington Volleyball Family.”
In addition to playing for Darlington’s varsity and junior varsity teams, Wright was also a founding member of the Middle School volleyball team in 2001-02. While her jersey was not officially retired by the School, the volleyball program has dedicated No. 15 in her honor and, therefore, will no longer assign it to future players. Wright is the daughter of Jacquelyn and Barry Wright III (’70) of Rome.
