High expectations greet start for the 2025 high school volleyball season
MADISON – Several sports are now kicking off its seasons as the newest school year is underway. One of the most popular and certainly one of the most competitive athletic sports is volleyball. Young girls prep as long and hard as any sport in high schools and take pride in knowing the sport they are passionate for can be exciting as any sport among the high school ranks.
The immediate area has always had great volleyball programs and the newest rosters for the local teams are no different than those talented girls who took to the courts before them.
Bob Jones High School
When the Bob Jones volleyball program last saw match action the team walked off the court as two-time Class 7A State Runners-up after falling to Mc-Gill-Toolen in a five-set thriller in the State Championship battle. Only two starters return from the team that posted a 5210 record in 2024 and even better mark of 54-3 in 2023.
For most teams, only two re- turners would normally cause a panic within the players, coaches and the entire school, but at Bob Jones, a balanced roster of players throughout all classes makes up this year’s team and each has their own talents they feel is worthy to make a return to the State Tournament. With five each in the senior and junior classes, Patriots’ head coach Jenny Jarrett is aware youth is the feel of this year’s squad.
“We are very young and obviously we have had some recent success and lost some key players from those past teams, however, we have a great core group of younger players who have come in and worked really hard to make a difference,” said Jarrett, in her fourth season as head coach of the Lady Patriots. “With the senior leadership that we have, we still anticipate having a very successful season.”
The senior leadership Jarrett referred to comes from the only two returning starters in Mya Lacey and Kendall Buckley both of whom are fresh off a great summer off-season participating in the elite North-South All-Star Week game in Montgomery. Lacey had 44 aces, 384 kills, a hitting percentage of .299, 96 blocks, 42 assists and 89 digs in 2024. Buckley also was a standout for Bob Jones a year ago with 4 aces, 498 kills, a hitting percentage of .168, 52 blocks, 16 assists and 144 digs. The reigning Second Team All-State Buckley has committed to North Alabama for college while Lacey has a verbal commitment to Auburn-Montgomery.
“Mya has great leadership qualities while being a standout for us since her freshman year,” said Jarrett. “In previous years, she helped us out in the middle, even though she wasn’t a middle player, and did an outstanding job. We are excited to see what she can do on the pin for us this year.”
Jarrett also spoke of Buckley who Jarrett called “one of the most physical athletes I have ever coached and has natural ability.” Jarrett added, “Kendall is a fantastic teammate and I have truly never seen her without the biggest smile on her face. Both of these players have been incredible kids to have as part of our program and we look for both of them to have big senior seasons.”
The underclassmen of Patriots are currently making strides into the rotation of play for Bob Jones. Those making the move out front include freshman Zoe Robinson, who has the potential to be an impact player, Sophia Davis, who making the varsity team as an eighth grader hasn’t happened to Bob Jones in 15 years and those around her are anxious to see how she grows and develops as a player, and Brooklyn Morgan, a junior ds/libero, who has made great strides during the off-season and is a strong vocal team leader.
Here’s the complete roster for Bob Jones in 2025: Brooklyn Morgan (Jr.), Sophia Morgan (Fr.), Maile Wallace (Sr.), Keira Blume (Jr.), Morgan Cooper (Jr.), Jessie Elitzer (Jr.), Kendall Buckley (Sr.), Kat Dimitri (So.), Bella Lovell (Sr.), Mya Lacey (Sr.), Analesa Hermesch (Jr.), Zoe Robinson (Fr.), Kennedy Roseberry (So.), Sophia Davis (8), Ella Watts (So.) and team manager Sydney Turpin (Sr.).
James Clemens High School
After what is considered a disappointing, but winning 2024 season of 26-22, the James Clemens volleyball program has shown signs of a renewed spirit as head coach Megan Aldridge enters her second season of leading the Lady Jets. She will do so with only two seniors on her team roster, but with lots of talent waiting in the wings.
“After a season of growth and grit, our team returns with a renewed focus, deeper chemistry and all eyes set on a higher standard here at James Clemens,” said Aldridge, 36.
Growth will have to take place for that standard to rise and Aldridge is confident her team will come to life in 2025. Leading the surge will be sophomore Julia Celani, an outside hitter who is regarded as being a crafty outside player with a sharp court awareness as a leader, and Emani Green, a senior Libero who is a leader on the team and what Aldridge considers the defensive cornerstone for the team with elite-level defensive reading ability.
“With key returners stepping into leadership roles and fresh talent adding depth across the board, the ‘Fleet 14’ is ready to compete harder, push further and turn last year’s lessons into this year’s success,” added Aldridge.
The 2025 Lady Jets roster includes: Megan Angelucci (5-9, Jr.), Ava Bilton (5-10, So.), Veronica Cabrales (5-9, Jr.), Isabella Carrasquel (5-11, So.), Julia Celani (5-11, So.), Blaise Dixon (5-10, So.), Emani Green (5-5, Sr.), Maggie Kelley (5-6, Jr.), Addisyn Langford (5-8 So.), Charlotte O’Donnell (5-4, Fr.), Adley Willis (5-6, Sr.) and Kalayiah Wyatt (5-5, Jr.).
Madison Academy
The future looks bright for the Madison Academy Mustangs. With eight returning starters off the 2024 team which reached the second round of the Class 4A North Regional and finished the season with a 24-19 overall record, head coach Nikki Knott is excited about her team which looks poised to accomplish a state title, which last occurred for the program in 2016.
“Last season was a year of growth (lost two seniors from last season) with six underclassmen stepping up to play at the varsity level and with that valuable experience under their belts, they’re now more confident and prepared to rise to the challenges ahead,” said Knott, in her seventh season as head coach at Madison Academy.
Three returning seniors highlight the 2025 roster as Jacey Crawford (MH, 5-9, Sr.) is in her third year on varsity who is a strong hitter and blocker and as a team captain is a leader (2024 stats- 149 kills, .270 hit percentage, 42 aces, 79 digs, 26 blocks); Cat Schreiber (RS, 5-9, Sr.) is an All-State softball pitcher and will sign with UAB in that sport will move to the middle this season and will continue exhibiting her outstanding athleticism (52 kills, .094 hit percentage, 37 digs, 4 blocks); Isabelle Sutton (OH, 5-8, Sr.) a four-year varsity player who possesses experience and leadership, which are major strengths for the Lady Mustangs (278 kills, .244 hit percentage, 36 aces, 361 digs, 11 blocks).
Returning junior starters are Bekah Mouser (MB, 5-5, Jr.) is small in stature, but packs a punch on her hits and is a solid defensive player and blocker (154 kills, .193 hit percentage, 25 aces, 112 digs, 18 blocks); Maggie Boyd (S, 5-7, Jr.) is a setter and defensive specialist. Her quick feet get her in position to make amazing plays (7 kills, .259 hit percentage, 55 aces, 172 digs); Janelle Lowery (RS, 5-9, Jr.) is a right side power hitter who brings energy as a vocal leader (231 kills, .149 hit percentage, 65 digs, 15 blocks); Kenzie Privett (Libero, 5-7, Jr.) was strictly a Libero in 2024 bur looking to her to be both Libero and in hitting spots this season to take advantage of her vertical talent and strong swing (5 kills, .125 hit percentage, 21 aces, 485 digs).
The lone returning sophomore on the lineup after a spectacular freshman season is Sarah Bacon (RS, 5-8, So.), a 2025 team captain, was an outstanding setter last year will also handle some right side hitter duties this season. She is regarded as a fantastic blocker and hard worker who Knott called the quarterback of the team (24 kills, .296 hit percentage, 72 aces, 589 assists, 219 digs). Additional players on the team include Chelsea Ervin (H/DS, 5-6, Jr.) a team captain and Molly Thomas (DS, 5-3, Jr.).
“Many of our players compete together yearround on various club teams while others are standout multi-sport athletes like in softball, basketball and soccer,” said Knott. “Regardless of their path, every player brings a strong work ethic both on the court and in the classroom.”
Knott is extremely proud of the fact her Lady Mustangs were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Honor Roll by finishing in the top 20-percent nationally after last year’s season.
“Our goal this season is clear, push past Super Regionals and not just make the State Tournament, but bring home another blue map as State Champion for our school,” added Knott.
then stick around for the Trash Pandas game with special jerseys, postgame fireworks, and an in-game auction benefiting AUSA Redstone Arsenal. Get tickets: www.gofevo.com/ event/Ausa2025
