Doneva Bays spent countless hours on the floor of Steve Lacy Fieldhouse, but unlike most athletes, she wore two uniforms. Bays, a dual-sport standout athlete at Milligan, was a four-year starter on the volleyball team and the women’s basketball team. No matter which sport, which school, which gym, or which ball, Doneva Bays was feared by most opponents, but admired by all. At the beginning of a game fans would yell, taunt and try to mess up the All-American, but by the end of the game those same fans would be cheering for Bays out of astonishment at the performance of the 5’11” powerhouse.
As a member of the Milligan College volleyball team from 1993-1996, Bays was an NAIA All-American having led the Buffs to their first national championship appearance. A four-year All-Conference selection and three-year All-Region selection for the Buffs, Bays set records which still stand to this day for digs per game, digs in a season, kills per game, kills in a season, and kills in a career. Additionally she was named the Tennessee Virginia Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the Mid-South Region Player of the Year.
As a member of the Buffs basketball team, Bays was a two-time All-Conference selection, leading her team to the Sweet 16 at the NAIA national tournament in Angola, Indiana. A member of the elite 1,000-point club, Bays was a versatile defender and an explosive rebounder, but most importantly, she had the respect of her teammates for her hard work and selfless attitude.
Upon graduation from Milligan in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, Bays pursued a career in coaching beginning at NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina before moving to take over at Georgetown College. Under the guidance of Bays, the Tigers of Georgetown set a school record 40 wins and 5 losses, and an eventual fourth-place finish at the national championship.
Currently, Bays is in her second season at the helm of the Buffs volleyball program, a program that she had a hand in building over a decade ago.
A proud mother of one, Doneva and her 3-year-old daughter Makayla reside in Gate City, Virginia.
It is with pleasure that we induct Doneva Bays into the 2009 Athletics Hall of Fame at Milligan College.