Starting her 15th season in 2023-24 at the helm of the Jaguar Volleyball program, Sharon Quarles has taken a losing volleyball team into the NCAA postseason and to conference, regional, and national recognition.
Quarles, who was named the eighth head coach in school history on April 23, 2009 by Augusta University Director of Athletics Clint Bryant, led the Jags to 22 victories and to the second-winningest season in school history in her first year. Quarles is 505-321(.693) after 26 seasons of coaching in the NCAA and she is 274-183 (.600) entering her 15th season in 2023.
“After an intensive national search, we were very fortunate to be able to attract a volleyball coach the caliber of Coach Quarles,” Director of Athletics Clint Bryant said. “She has experience not only in coaching, but in athletic administration as well. We look forward to her moving our volleyball program to the next level.”
In 2022, Augusta volleyball collected their eighth 20-win season and claimed the PBC Tournament Regular Season title for the first time in school history. The Jaguars advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fifth time since 2014. Jazmyn Wheeler was named PBC Player of the Year as well as being named an AVCA All-American. Wheeler and Alexis Diaz-Infante garnered All-Region honors. Wheeler, Diaz-Infante, and Jada Suguturaga were named PBC All-Conference.
The 2021 Jaguars earned a No.6 Seed in the NCAA Southeast Region Ranking and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time. The Jaguars collected their seventh 20-win season in school history and won the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Augusta met Tusculum in the first round of the NCAA tournament, winning 3-0. The Jaguars then defeated host Anderson in a five set match before defeating top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne in the championship match to advance to the Elite Eight. Making history as the first Augusta volleyball team to advance to the national championships, the Jaguars would fall to host Tampa University 3-1 in Tampa, Fl. Chloe Allen, Alyssa Frazier, and Holland Martin were named to the NCAA Southeast Region All-Tournament Team. Chloe Allen, Alexis Diaz-Infante, Alyssa Frazier, Holland Martin, and Kylie Martin were all named PBC All-Conference. Kylie Martin was named PBC Tournament MVP for the second year in a row. Chloe Allen was named PBC Player of the Year and to the NCAA Southeast All-Region Team.
In 2020, during an abbreviated season that was shifted to the spring due to Covid, Augusta captured its third consecutive PBC Tournament Title. Kylie Martin an Chloe Allen were both named to the All-Conference team. Kylie Martin was named PBC Tournament MVP.
In 2019, Augusta posted its sixth 20-win season. After winning the Peach Belt Conference tournament for the second year, AU advanced to the NCAA Tournament and reached the Regional finals. Nicolette Ramos was named PBC Tournament MVP. Chloe Allen, Kylie Martin, Nicolette Ramos, and Jessica Hedrick were all named PBC All-Conference. Augusta met USC Aiken in the first round of the NCAA tournament, winning 3-0. The Jaguars then defeated host Wingate in a five set match, breaking Wingate's 2 year home winning streak before falling to Carson-Newman in the Sweet 16.
Quarles and the Jaguars won their first ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship in 2018 and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second time ever. In 2018, AU enjoyed its fifth 20-win season and posted the second-most wins ever with a 24-8 record. 2018 Senior McKenzey Beck was named All-Region, All-Conference, the PBC Tournament MVP, and had the second most triple-doubles in the NCAA. 2018 Sophomore Chloe Allen picked up an All-Region honorable mention and was also All-PBC.
Augusta reached the 2017 PBC Tournament semifinals as the fourth seed. In 2017, Beck led the nation in triple-doubles (12) and was named All-Region and All-Conference. Savannah Gonzales was named to the 2018 PBC All-Tournament team.
In 2014, the Jags posted the best record in program history at 27-9 overall and 13-5 in the PBC. Quarles was voted as the 2014 PBC Coach of the Year on Nov. 14, after she had the most successful season any coach has ever had with the team. The Jags had two seven-game winning streaks and one nine-game winning streak during the 2014 season – highlighted by their 24th win on Nov. 5 against the Georgia College Bobcats, surpassing the previous mark of 23 wins set in the 1995 season.
In just her first season, Quarles orchestrated the second-biggest, one-year turnaround in school history while tutoring Jessica Howard, the first All-American in school history and a three-time, All-Peach Belt Conference selection.
After 27 wins in 2010 and 2011, the Jags just missed an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012, posting a 19-15 mark while earning the program's first-ever region ranking. In 2013 she guided junior Kristen Koch to a Peach Belt All-Conference.
Quarles spent the three previous seasons as head coach at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. She posted three 18-win seasons and led the Ravens to a 54-41 record and to their highest Northeast-10 Conference finish in school history.
Prior to Franklin Pierce, Quarles served five seasons as head coach at West Chester University, an NCAA Division II program which competes in the highly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. (PSAC). She compiled a 99-59 (.627) overall record at West Chester, including three 20-win seasons and a 31-19 (.620) clip in PSAC play. Quarles was twice named PSAC Coach of the Year and her recruiting efforts produced the PSAC Rookie of the Year each of the last three seasons.
In 2002, West Chester posted a 23-11 overall record and a share of the PSAC Eastern Division title for the first time in program history. The Golden Rams finished over .500 in each of Quarles’s five seasons at the helm. The team also carried a 3.318 cumulative grade point average in 2005.
Prior to West Chester, Quarles spent four years as head volleyball coach at Div. III University of Maine-Machias. She also served the University as Director of Athletics for one year. Quarles led the Clippers to a 79-35 (.693) record and back-to-back Maine Athletic Conference titles in 1999 and 2000. Quarles received NAIA Region X Coach of the Year honors in 1999 and was a two-time State of Maine Coach of the Year. Her team received the State of Maine Sportsmanship Award in 1999 as well.
She has worked in varying capacities with the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., the University of Colorado-The Springs, Colorado College and The Colorado Springs School.
Quarles earned her Master’s Degree in sports administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1995 and her undergraduate degree in exercise sport and sciences from the University of Florida in 1993. She also attended Winthrop University for two years, where she was a member of the Eagles volleyball program as a freshman and sophomore, before transferring to Florida.
Formerly Sharon Bonaventure, she married John Quarles on July 19, 2014 in Aiken, S.C.
QUARLES' COACHING HISTORY
- Augusta University (2009-present) 274-183 (.600)
- Franklin Pierce University (2006-2008) 54-41 (.568)
- West Chester University (2001-2005) 99-59 (.627)
- University of Maine-Machias (1997-2000) 79-35 (.693)
