Augusta, GA
Augusta University volleyball coach enters 15th season
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s women’s volleyball has made a name for itself at every level in the Peach Belt, the Southeast Region and the NCAA.
The 2023 season was the best in program history, and a big reason for that is Coach Sharon Quarles.
It’s not often that you hear of a college coach staying in place for 15 or more years, but that’s exactly what’s happening at Augusta University, where Head Coach Sharon Quarles of the women’s volleyball team is entering her 15th season.
She’s looking to make it back to the Peach Belt title and even further.
While Quarles has been at the helm since 2009, AU’s recent upward trend in volleyball started back in 2020 and has only gone up from there.
It’s put them on national notice.
“We’ve been very fortunate that has played in our favor. We get quite a few transfers like this year alone, we’ve had three D1 transfers, two D2 transfers and a freshman coming in. With that kind of compliment of players with our returners, it’s going to be an exciting year for us,” said Quarles.
They’re now feared across the Peach Belt, advancing to the Elite Eight back in 2021 and the Sweet Sixteen last year.
But what part of the job does Quarles love most?
“The real fun part of it is what’s behind my shoulder. Getting in the gym, working with the players and just taking that path from the start of the season to postseason play and seeing where we finish,” she said.
After seeing so many new rosters over her long career, she says the key to unlocking each team’s true potential starts in the offseason and that it directly translates to the rest of the year.
“We do a lot of team bonding during preseason because it’s about trust and the belief system and creating that understanding of what we are and who we’re about and when you have that, the sky’s the limit because we bring in the talent now it’s just putting it together and getting the players to work together,” said Quarles.
Quarles and the Jags will open their season on September 6 down in Lakeland, Florida, at the Florida Southern Tournament.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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