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Debbie Green (USA)
The best setter the USA has ever had
One, if not the, best setter the USA has ever had, Debbie Green has been remembered as the fiery player who would rally her teammates with cheers, jumps, and explosive energy. Her hitters at the time of Debbie's prime included Rita Crockett, Flo Hyman, and Sue Woodstra. The great blocking by Paula Weishoff and Rose Magers also gave Debbie more reasons to be cheerful on the court. This talented setter was not very tall, but she could jump high and her setting was very creative. Though she didn't win Olympic gold in Los Angeles, she still delighted the audience with wonderful plays that gave the USA hopes that maybe they could defeat China. But the Chinese, led by Lang Ping, were too much for Debbie and her teammates. In the end, not even Debbie's energy could prevent the Chinese victory, but at least they got as far as the final in their own country, proving that they were one of the top teams in the world.

Cheering wildly...
After Debbie, the setting situation for the USA wasn't quite as bright. In Seoul '88, the setting was divided between Laurel Kessel and Kim Ruddins, but none of these two setters achieved the level of Debbie Green. After Kessel, coach Terry Liskevych introduced Lori Endicott, who brought the USA back to the world's top four in the '90 World's and the '92 Olympics. But Lori wasn't as consistent as Debbie had been, and despite Endicott's achievements, many remembered Debbie Green as the best USA setter of recent times. Maybe that is why so many people also had hopes for Misty May, Long Beach State University's star setter and two-time NCAA Player of the Year, who was Debbie Green's protégé, if you can say that. Debbie was the setting coach forLong Beach when the 49ers won the National Championship in'98. She passed onto May many of her traits, and one could see that Misty May was destined for greatness, just like her teacher, if not more. But after an unsuccessful try with the National Team at the Panam Games in Winnipeg '99, May left indoor volleyball frustrated and took to the beach. Now she is

...and celebrating with her teammates at the '84 Los Angeles Olympics. [Photo: Bruce Hazelton, Volleyball Monthly]
playing alongside Holly McPeak with hopes of qualifying for Sydney. Debbie's legacy probably ended with May, although the USA now has a good setter in Charlene Tagaloa. It remains to be seen if she will surpass Kessel and Endicott and set the USA back to the top like Debbie Greene did in the early '80s.

 
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