VOLLEYBALL SUPER REGIONAL: MA headed back to state after win over Faith Academy

Elle McBride helped Montgomery Academy earn a seventh-straight berth in the AHSAA state volleyball tournament on Wednesday. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Two years ago, Elle McBride admits, the trip to the state volleyball tournament was a whirlwind of events she wasn’t prepared for.

This time, the Montgomery Academy junior said, she wants to enjoy the experience.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “All of it’s a blur, except for me feeling that fear that I felt as a 14 year old playing against these 18-year-old girls. I just had no clue what I was going into.”

Montgomery Academy earned its seventh consecutive state tournament berth and 21st in the last 26 years with a 25-12, 25-9 and 25-13 whipping of Faith Academy on Wednesday in the 5A South Super Regional at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

And with McBride, fellow outside hitter Caroline McDaniel and setter Addi Vinson making their third consecutive trip to the state tournament, the expectations rise a little as they gain experience.

“I want redemption,” McBride said. “I really thought we had it last year. The cards just weren’t in it for us. So this year I want it more than I ever did.”

As freshmen, the trio experienced somewhat of a rebuilding year by Montgomery Academy standards, but played its best volleyball at the right time to reach the 4A state finals before losing to Westminster Christian 

“Being a 14 year old, I always thought I wasn’t good enough to be there,” McBride said. “When you get there, you’re like, wow, me and two other freshmen are out here playing against all these girls, along with a sophomore (now senior Isabella Johnson). It was a lot of emotions built up. That’s all I remember.”

Last year, the Eagles were an improved team that went 39-6 before suffering an unexpected loss in the 5A semifinals to Arab.

Now, the Eagles are 48-6, ranking fourth in school history for the most wins in a season and earning the program’s 26th trip to the state tournament. And while Johnson, the lone senior, and the three juniors are important, several underclassmen also are along for the ride, including freshmen Morgan Springer and Kaci Armistead.

“I have a lot of comfort in knowing that they can always come to us and ask us what to expect because we were in the same position as them,” McBride said. “I can really relate to them and the emotions they might be feeling right now. But both of our freshmen have really stepped up and us having been in their shoes has really helped them a lot and I’m glad they had us to look up to.”

Montgomery Academy coach Julie Gordon said both the juniors and the freshmen are unique in their demeanor on the court.

“Elle made the comment that when she was in the ninth grade it was a little nerve wracking,” Gordon said. “But they’re a different breed. And I’ve got two ninth graders and there’s no way you can pick out who those ninth graders are on the court because they don’t play like ninth graders, they play like juniors and seniors. I’m hoping their experience and level of play is bringing them the level of confidence we need to go play these good teams.”

First, Montgomery Academy would like to finish play in the super regional with a pair of wins. While a semifinal game with Rehobeth and either a consolation game or a championship match is simply for seeding in next week’s state tournament, there’s a little bit of pride for an MA team chasing its sixth South Regional championship in a row.

“It never gets old because it’s a new group of girls you’re going with,” Gordon said. “This team has bought in. We’ve been accomplishing things all season long against some of the best volleyball teams in the state, regardless of classification. But those games are over and we have to perform every time we get on the court.”

The stage is bigger, but it’s not a blur for McBride any more.

“I like having that feeling of comfort,” she said. “I think I’m going to go in with less nerves, less anxiety. I’m not going to be worried about ‘what am I doing wrong’ and more like ‘look what I did good.’ That level of comfort will help me a lot, which I’m hoping me, Addi, Caroline and Isabella can help the sophomores and freshmen on our team feel the same as we do right now.”