Bob Jones volleyball team ready for new season in new gym

Bob Jones will have a new starting lineup when volleyball season starts on Aug 27 Isabelle Barnes (left) (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)

MADISON- April Marsh has faced this before in her 6 years as volleyball coach at Bob Jones. Her entire starting lineup from last year has graduated.

Overall, seven seniors graduated from last year’s squad which was ranked number 1 in

7A most of the season and made the state tournament but fell to eventual champion Mountain Brook.

Gone also are the high expectations the fans and media placed on the team last year.

“It’s a different team but the quality of the girls is still the same. They work hard and have good character. We have five seniors and four juniors who have been in our program through high school,” Marsh said.

“It will be a different type team. We’re lacking experience so early on we don’t know how we will start but how we finish is most important. We’re going to play a lot of girls. It should be a lot of fun, I’m looking forward to it,” Marsh said.

“Our expectations haven’t changed. From the outside looking in their expectations may be different,” Marsh added. Bob Jones starts the season ranked #6 in 7A followed by James Clemens at #7.

Isabelle Barnes, a senior 6-foot-1 middle hitter, is the leading returning player with the most experience on the varsity. Barnes has already been named All-State and played on the north squad in the AHSAA All-Star Week last summer.

“Isabelle is a good all around player, she hits well she blocks well, she’s quick and athletic,” Marsh said. Ashley Pursifull and Olivia Willoughby also return with some varsity experience.

This team will have length which will be needed against teams like Mountain Brook.

Sabria Scott and Kristen Walz are also seniors looking for get more playing time. Walz and Willoughby are both listed at 6-foot tall.

Marsh must find a setter to replace three year starter and All State Erin Shockey who averaged over 30 sets a match. Kara Harbin and Ajia Abele are competing for that spot.

The realignment that created 7A has impacted volleyball more than any other sport. Gone are the breather games Bob Jones use to play against teams like Decatur, Florence, and Lee-Huntsville. Now every team they face is equal in talent and experience. They will play in Class 7A, Area 8 with James Clemens, Sparkman, and Hazel Green.

“We build our schedule to have us ready for the end of October,” Marsh said. “Most of the teams in 7A are quality opponents.

The newly renovated gym still does not have bleachers but the new floor, lighting, paint, facilities, and concession stands will be fully operational when the team hosts a tri-match with Grissom and Huntsville on August 27. The first Area 8 contest is Sept. 10 at home against James Clemens.

The bleachers are being manufactured and will be installed in mid-September. Marsh said that 300 chairs will be set up for the home games.

“We’re just glad to be in the gym so we are not complaining,” Marsh said.

The full schedule can be found at link http://bobjonesathletics.com/volleyball/varsity/schedule