Nearly five decades after launching a volleyball program in a small Austin County town, Susan Brewer has reached a milestone that no coach in Texas history ever has.
Brewer, who has led the Bellville Brahmanettes since founding the program in 1977, recorded career win number 1,306 in an early-season tournament victory over Manor at the Bastrop Tournament, surpassing Port Neches-Groves' Barbara Como for the all-time wins record in Texas high school volleyball.
Bellville, the county seat of Austin County with a population of just over 4,200, has become one of the most unlikely volleyball powerhouses in the state. Under Brewer, the Brahmanettes have captured nine state championships and 39 district titles over her 49-plus years at the helm. The program's first state title came in 1984, with a group of freshmen Brewer had recruited back in 1980.
Brewer credited her own high school coach, Norma Poland of East Bernard High School, as the inspiration behind her coaching career. "I wanted to create a program like she had in East Bernard, Texas," Brewer said.
The record-breaking win drew family, former players, and community members to the gym, and was later recognized by Texas State Senator Lois Cole of District 18, who presented Brewer with a Texas state flag on behalf of the region that includes Austin County.
Brewer has been named the TGCA Volleyball Coach of the Year five times and the NFHS National Coach of the Year. She is also a member of both the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
True to form, Brewer deflected the individual recognition. "It was never about the number," she said. "It was something that this team really wanted to do." She added that the accolades belong to every player, coach, and community member who has been part of the Bellville program.
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