Toliver Roebuck recently graduated from the Governor’s School, but the outgoing senior isn’t leaving Maggie Walker just yet.
Roebuck, who officially accepted admission into the VCU School of the Arts in June, will return to his alma mater as part of the boys volleyball coaching staff. He is the second MLWGS graduate to do this, joining David Calvert (Class of 2005).
“I’m really excited about coming back,” says Roebuck. "I really love this game and I’m looking forward to the challenges of coaching." Roebuck, who was also accepted by MICA, Bard, and Pratt, says the decision to stay in Richmond and attend VCU was an easy one. "When I weighed the obvious options of cost, distance from home, and quality of education, it was a no-brainer." VCU has a strong Arts department, as evidenced by several top ten rankings nationwide. “Being able to come back to Maggie Walker to coach was also an incentive,” adds Roebuck.
But for Roebuck, this added incentive may never have existed. Four years ago, the much younger (and much shorter) Roebuck was hardly the 6’ 3” volleyball player he is today. Varsity coach Theresa Armstrong noticed him at tryouts during his freshman year and encouraged him to give it a shot.
He was quickly hooked. Calvert, his JV coach, remembers his first season. "He was always the go to guy," says Calvert. "His quick learning and his love for the game instantly propelled him into the spotlight." After moving up to the Varsity team his junior year, Armstrong gave Roebuck the starting middle's position, a position he never relinquished while at MLWGS. His high school career netted him numerous accolades, including a 2007 invitation to the Colonial District's 2nd Team All-District and 1st Team All-Academic. He led the Varsity team last year in almost every offensive category, including kills/gm., blocks/gm., and serving ace percentage.
But Roebuck wasn't satisfied. The high school season wasn't nearly long enough for Roebuck who, in the fall of 2006, began his Junior Olympic playing career with the Richmond Volleyball Club. Two years later, and with two appearances at the Junior National Championships, Roebuck is glad he tried so hard. "It definitely paid off. The added pressure and competition at the club level helped me develop my game. My senior year [playing for Maggie Walker] was much better because of it!"
As excited as he is to start his undergraduate coursework at VCU, Roebuck is equally enthusiastic about coming back to Maggie Walker. Now it is his turn to teach and train middles into the hitting and blocking machine that he was and continues to be. Roebuck will look to share some of that glory with the newest members of the team when JV practice begins on August 1st. If he has half as much fun coaching as he does when he plays the sport, the Colonial District had better watch out!
Written by David W. Calvert
MLWGS JV Volleyball Coach
MLWGS Class of 2005
dwcalvert@gmail.com
