High School Volleyball Preview 2024

MADISON- With two of the most successful head coaches of the four local high school volleyball programs holding steady at their positions, the “veterans” of the sport will welcome two new arrivals as head coaches at the remaining schools in the immediate area for the 2024 season.

Megan Aldridge has taken over the James Clemens program while Rose Powell has agreed to similar duties at Sparkman in their first seasons at their respective schools. As veterans on the local volleyball scene, Nikki Knott, in her sixth season, leads Madison Academy and Jenny Jarrett heads up her program for her third year at Bob Jones.

The mixture of the “old” and the “new” will make for an interesting season on the hardwood for girls volleyball, as the season now underway with each team looking forward to the dates of Oct. 29-30, which are set aside for the AHSAA State Tournament.

BOB JONES

The Lady Patriots of Bob Jones are hoping the third time will be the charm in their attempt at winning the Class 7A state title. The last two seasons, Bob Jones made its way to the finals only to fall to an arch-rival in McGill-Toolen of Mobile. As head coach, Jenny Jarrett enters her third season at the helm with extraordinary performances in her first two seasons, and, with a group of returning talent, the thoughts of returning to the State Tournament could easily become reality.

“This year we still have an experienced group with several of our top players returning,” said Jarrett of her squad that posted a 54-3 record a season ago. Last year’s team featured three All-American players, including her daughter, Meg, who graduated.

Those returning for 2024 include last year’s Class 7A Player of the Year Kennedy Vaughn (OH, 5-11, Sr.) who had 543 kills, 71 blocks, 21 aces, 127 digs and 17 assists. She played in the AHSAA All-Star Week volleyball match this summer. Also on board is Riley Lovell (S, 5-6, Sr.) who also played in the All-Star Week contest after she posted 842 assists, 303 digs, 67 aces and 44 kills in her junior season a year ago. Additional talent returning to the court for the Patriots include Mya Lacey (MH/S, 5-9, Jr.) who had 145 kills and 106 blocks last season, Kendall Buckley (OPP/OH, 6-0, Jr.) who posted 162 kills and 71 blocks a season ago, Annabelle Arnold (OH/MH, 5-10, Sr.) who had 210 kills and 27 blocks in the near championship season and Kali Beigh (L, 5-4, Sr.) who posted scrappy stats of 289 digs and 70 aces on the 54-3 season.

“We have been working all summer to start fresh, to focus on improving everyday and work on the mental toughness we need to not let us be satisfied with our two previous seasons,” said Jarrett, who was the head coach of the North team in the All-Star week game back in July. “We have several new names to the varsity team, all of which were on our junior varsity team a year ago.”

Bob Jones won state titles in both 2008 and 2013, but none of the coaching staff nor players were around to experience the celebrations of yesteryear. So, this program is wanting to make its own celebration with a run at a state title of their own.

“Last year’s finish definitely hurt a little more than the year before as we had beaten McGill-Toolen twice and we had been ranked No. 1 most of the season,” added Jarrett. “We still feel like we have unfinished business to take care of and I’m hoping that the girls will play with a chip on their shoulders in some way.”

Remaining members of the Bob Jones roster are Ashley Fitzgibbons (DS, 5-6, Sr.), Takara Stoops (DS, 5-9, Jr.), Maile Wallace (OPP, 5-7, Jr.), Taryn Blume (OPP, 5-10, Sr.), Analesa Hermesh (MH, 5-10, So.), Bella Lovell (DS, 5-1, Jr.), Madeline Averitt (DS, 5-6, Jr.) and Tru Pitts (DS, 5-6, Sr.).

JAMES CLEMENS

Megan Aldridge is in her first season as head coach of the Lady Jets. The 35-year old has plenty of coaching experience to tackle her duties at one of the state’s largest schools and will step into her new role alongside players who also have tremendous experience on the courts.

James Clemens returns five seniors from last year’s squad and can add four juniors and two freshmen to the mix for what looks to be a promising 2024 campaign.

Maja Sullivan (OH, 5-11, Sr.) returns on the outside, Sienne Broyles (S, 5-8, Sr.) returns as the setter, Kaitlin Cardinale (OH/MB, 5-10, Sr.) will be stepping into an outside role while also continuing to work from the middle of the court, Maggie Gwin (OPP/DS, 5-6, Sr.) returns as a true utility player and Aubrey Boseck (DS, 5-5, Sr.) is ready to be the dedicated defensive specialists for the Jets to cap the five seniors on the squad.

Juniors on the team include Emma Dickinson (S/DS, 5-6, Jr.), Adley Willis (OPP, 5-7, Jr.), Logan Lesiak (MB, 5-9, Jr.) and Emani Green (L, 5-5, Jr.). Without a single sophomore on the roster, Aldridge is looking to two freshmen to bolster the already strong lineup. Those freshmen are Bella Carrasquel (S/MB, 5-9, Fr.) and Julia Celani (OH/OPP, 5-10, Fr.).

“We have taken the off-season and preseason to commit to improving every day and making the most out of each opportunity,” said Aldridge. “This team pushes each other to be better and ‘do better,’ while fostering a culture of respect for each other and the game.”

The new coach on board has a style that can be described as disciplined important, but not a dictator. Prior to landing on County Line Road at James Clemens, Aldridge led pervious teams at Danville High winning three consecutive Area Championships, twice making it to the Sweet Sixteen of the State Playoffs and one Elite Eight appearance in the 4A classification.

“This team has fun. We celebrate each other’s strengths and address each other’s needs,” added Aldridge. “We can’t wait to see where this season takes us.”

MADISON ACADEMY

Like a chef with a great cake mix, Madison Academy’s Nikki Knott has a little bit of this and a little bit of that among her 2024 volleyball team roster. The mix features two seniors, three juniors and sophomores and one freshman, plus four what she calls varsity alternates.

The Lady Mustangs lost four seniors off last year’s squad which was 35-18 overall. This season, the mix is being stirred to a concoction which should be an outstanding serving of delightful volleyball at the private school.

Leading players for 2024 include Sydney Privett (M/OH, 5-9, Sr.). “She played middle hitter for us last year, but is playing both outside hitter and middle this season,” said Knott of Privett who posted 291 kills with a 0.255 hitting efficiency, 18 blocks and 62 aces a season ago. The talented senior is entertaining the recruiting battle moving into her final season at Madison Academy.

Junior Isabelle Sutton (OH/DS, 5-10, Jr.) led the squad last year in kills as a six rotation outside hitter. “This season she will bring three years of experience on varsity as she’s looking to play in college in two years,” added Knott. Overall, Sutton had 486 kills with a 0.206 hitting efficiency, 54 aces and 465 digs. Another junior, Jacey Crawford (M, 5-9, Jr.) will step onto the floor for her second varsity season after posting 124 kills and 23 blocks a year ago.

Knott is looking to senior transfer Jasmine Brantley (H/DS/L, 5-5, Sr.) to make her way to Madison Academy star power as both a hitter and defensive specialist. Brantley is coming off a shoulder surgery, though looks to be recovering well playing on the front row.

Sophomore Janelle Lowery (RH/M/S, 5-9, So.), “Who brings big hits and blocks to our right, as well as, a backup setter,” said Knott. “Sarah Bacon (S/RH, 5-9, Fr.), the lone freshman on varsity, has a lot of potential just beginning to shine.”

Additional varsity players include Meme Brewster (DS, 5-3, Jr.), Maggie Boyd (S, 5-6, So.) and Becah Mouser (OH/M, 5-6, So.). Varsity alternates for Knott feature Chelsea Ervin (RH/DS, So.), Kenzie Privett (OH/DS, So.), Aliyah Whitman (RH/DS, Jr.) and Cat Schreiber (RH/MB, Jr.).

Knott will have a coaching staff made up of Delaney Burnett, Olivia Knott, her daughter, and Nicky Faught.