Phone: 803-641-2500
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA English BA Psychology MA English MLIS Library Science
Ms. Malynda Young
Welcome to Aiken High Volleyball. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with athletes at Aiken High. I do not profess to know everything there is about any sport. As in everything, there is always room to grow. I do promise to give each athlete my best both on the court and off. Life allows continued learning opportunities. Learning allows continued growth. To me, that is the biggest reason for students to be involved in athletics or other organizations at school. For everyone, the ability to compete in organized sports ends at some time, sooner or later according to the athlete. However, the lessons learned from participation never end.
My athletic experience began in the 4th grade as a member of the Estill Junior Varsity basketball team. In the 8th grade, I joined the Estill High Varsity basketball team. I didn't get a lot of floor time that year and don't remember it being an issue. I was learning and loving being a part of the team. My first two high school points were scored when I entered the game in the last two minutes of a playoff game. It was the best feeling to have that little success! At Estill, the only other sport available for me was cheering and it was a sport to me.
My family moved my Junior year where I entered Hunter-Kinard High School and played basketball, volleyball, and ran track. I also drove a school bus. My senior year, 1977, I was honored to play in the very first SCCAWS (South Carolina Coaches Association of Women's Sports) basketball All-Star game. It was fantastic, and I am still a supporter and active member of SCCAWS. While the organization doesn't host the basketball all-star game any longer, it does host the volleyball and softball all-star games. The organization supports all women athletes in SC and has been a major entity in the promotion of women's sports. Visit the web page at www.sccaws.org.
After high school, I accepted a basketball scholarship at Francis Marion College. I also played volleyball my freshman year. My junior year, I transferred to St. Andrews Presbyterian College for educational purposes, and that was one of the best decisions I've made. My education truly became my first priority. I still played basketball and volleyball, but the decision to put education first has changed my perspective on athletics. I love athletics and believe they are extremely important; however, the importance needs to be placed on the growth of the individual and the individual's ability to learn balance. A good education is paramount to being successful.
After graduating college in 1981, I began my teaching career at Denmark-Olar High School where I taught English and coached JV basketball and volleyball. I married a career Army soldier in 1983 and began moving around. 1st stop, Hawaii where I played USVBA and got a graduate degree in English. 2nd stop, Alabama where I taught English at Daleville High School and coached basketball, volleyball, girls and boys tennis. Then my career moved into more teaching when I taught for Troy State in Dothan and Enterprise State Junior College. In 1991, we moved back to SC and I began working at South Aiken High as an English teacher. In January 1996, I moved into the library after completing a Masters in Library and Information Science from USC. I started coaching JV basketball again in 1996. In 1998, I started working for the SC Dept of Education as a Regional Technology Specialist. In 2002, I went back to Aiken County as a media specialist at Aiken Elementary. In 2005, I started coaching JV basketball and volleyball at South Aiken while working at Aiken El.
In 2006, I got back into a high school and joined the staff at Aiken High. My first two years, I coached JV volleyball and then accepted the position for varsity in 2008 at the urging of my husband and daughter. Since then, I have joined the SCCAWS board (SCCAWS.org). I am the webmaster and have been a region rep, area rep, photographer, vice president and president. In 2016, I was honored to coach for the 4A-5A All-Star Volleyball Match, and was named the SC Volleyball Coach of the Year. I only mention these accomplishments because they are really a reflection of the fantastic athletes I have been allowed and blessed to coach. I really believe in the importance of promoting women's athletics in SC. I have been blessed to work with some great coaches in South Carolina and some awesome athletes who have proven to consider their educations as the top priority. We have had great successes by putting education and team first.