AISA VOLLEYBALL: Edgewood earns fifth straight state championship
Edgewood Academy won the AISA Class AA volleyball tournament on Tuesday, defeating Lowndes Academy in the finals. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
It wasn’t such a bad role for Brad Starks, as long as you can keep realistic expectations.
Starks was hired in April to keep the Edgewood Academy volleyball program churning toward another state championship and he did his part on Tuesday, helping the Wildcats capture their fifth consecutive state title with a sweep of the Alabama Independent School Association state volleyball tournament at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
Starks, who was hired to replace championship coach David DeLozier, who was hired to replace championship coach Sellers Dubberley, praised his senior class of Lindsey Brown, Olivia Carlin, Madison Martin and Katelynn Shaner, who have transitioned through two coaching changes with hardly a ripple in the program.
“All four are fantastic players,” Starks said. “It’s a really good group to have as a senior class for your first year at a school.”
Edgewood (37-2) breezed through the AA state tournament as expected, sweeping three good volleyball programs -- Pickens, Macon East and Lowndes -- in the process. The Wildcats defeated the Rebels 25-19, 25-11 and 25-18 in the finals for their fifth straight trophy.
“At times, it is a challenge when you get used to winning,” Starks said. “Sometimes, you can get a little bit complacent. We are really blessed with a strong senior class. Their experience and their understanding of the ebbs and flows of a season has been pretty important for us this season, just understanding that on those days when we do have off days, there are teams that can (beat you).
“Our work ethic has to match our talent. And most days, it does. And we’re really fortunate for that.”
Their only losses came late in the season -- once to AAA champion Hooper, once to AAA runner-up Glenwood.
Alabama commitment Lindsey Brown gets most of the attention, but Martin is invaluable in the middle, Carlin is a good defensive specialist and Shaner is the libero, spreading the Wildcats’ experience throughout the lineup.
“Lindsey is a DI athlete and Madison is a phenomenal player in the middle,” Starks said. “Some days, we can have two or three people who are the best player on the court. Both Olivia and Katelynn are two of the best passers in the state. There’s a lot of experience and knowledge that’s leaving that’s going to require a lot of effort and intensity and preparation next year.”
Brown and Martin were named to the all-tournament team along with junior Avery White and the Lowndes duo of Haley Briggs and Catie Wallace Self.