Volleyball season features new head coaches in three of four local high schools

MADISON – There’s a “newness” among the local high school volleyball scene as three of the four local schools each have new head coaches into the 2026 season. Only fifth-year head coach Jenny Jarrett at Bob Jones returns to her spot on the sideline.

Let’s meet the three new head coaches: Jamiee Freeman (James Clemens), Allie Cook (Sparkman) and Rachel Reynolds (Madison Academy). Here’s a preview for each of the four local teams for the 2026 season which will come to a close at the State Tournament Oct. 27-29.

Bob Jones

The Lady Patriots, along with James Clemens and Sparkman, are part of the new Class 6A alignment from the Alabama High School Athletic Association, which does not include private schools from across Alabama including four-time defending state champ Mc-Gool-Toolen of Mobile which defeated the Patriots three of the last four years in the State Championship match. The new alignment will mean new opponents down the line into the post-season for Bob Jones.

For 2026, two seniors of note return to the court for head coach Jenny Jarrett. Brooklyn Morgan (L, 5-4, Sr.) at libero, the designated back-row player, who provided 35 aces, 230 digs and 54 assists a season ago where the Patriots were 3918 overall. Fellow senior Analesa Hermesch (MB, 5-10, Sr.) had a superior season a year ago where she posted 156 kills, 94 blocks and 44 digs from her 5-foot-10 frame.

Underclassmen of note include two sophomores, Zoe Robinson (OH/S/OPP, 6-0, So.) and newcomer Genie Brown (MB, 6-3, So.). Robinson is blessed with natural talent beginning the sport of volleyball in the fifth grade. In 2025, she had 26 kills, 60 aces, 244 digs and 631 assists. She’s expected to continue her excellent play with a true collegiate future ahead of her. For Brown, she has been impressive throughout the summer months in preparation for the season.

In all, Bob Jones has six seniors, three juniors and eight sophomores for Jarret to choose from.

“We are young and a little inexperienced as we have several girls who will be starting for the first time this year who we expect to contribute and grow into their new roles,” said Jarrett. “The team showed a lot of high energy in pre-season practices and I am excited to see where we are on down the season schedule. These girls work well together and I expect us to be competitive and be in the mix at the end of the season.”

The 2026 season schedule includes a stop in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for the Rocky Top Classic the weekend of Sept. 11-12.

James Clemens

The newest of the “new” is at James Clemens where Jamiee Freeman was hired to take the head coach position just weeks prior to the start of the regular season action. She replaced Megan Aldridge who exited her position after two seasons leading the Lady Jets.

What Freeman walked into was a squad that is made up of two seniors, eight juniors and one sophomore. Only five from last year’s roster return for the 2026 season as last year’s roster included two seniors who graduated and five players who chose not to return for another season at James Clemens.

Freeman jumps into the fire with lots of experience as she came to James Clemens from Calhoun Community College where she led that program since 2022 where her players and squads earned national prominence. Prior to her college spot in Decatur, she was a volunteer assistant coach for James Clemens 2016-2019 and was head coach for both Arab and Decatur during the 2019-2022 seasons.

“This will certainly be a rebuilding season for both myself and our squad,” said Freeman, a 35-year old mother of two and was a standout two-sport athlete at Sparkman High graduating in 2009. “This is a quick turnaround for all of us. I am truly excited about returning to James Clemens and getting to know each of the players and working on building the culture here with the Jets. Those are my expectations for this season.”

Sparkman

Sparkman’s new head coach, Allie Crook, is said to bring leadership, passion and commitment to developing student- athletes both on and off the court. She has been part of the Rocket City Volleyball Club as both a player and coach for 15 years. “I am thrilled to step into this new role and lead such a tenacious group of young ladies,” said Crook.

The Lady Senators were 25-17 in 2025 and 13-26 in 2024 under then head coach Rose Powell while Crook was head coach of the junior varsity team at Sparkman.

Crook has a junior-heavy roster in 2026 as 12 juniors head up the 14-member team with one each in the senior and sophomore classes. Three returning starters highlight the experience on the squad and include the lone senior, Bella Mayfield (Def Specialist, 5-5, Sr.), a two-sport athlete who plays at an elite level for the Senators’ softball team. Crook said of her only senior, “She has an incredible court awareness and is defensively solid. A lot of players look to her for leadership as she is capable of stepping into an attacking role if she is called upon to do so.”

Zelaya Conley-Steger (MD/right, 6-0, Jr.) has college offers from Alabama A&M, North Alabama and Alabama State among others and is a returning starter for the Lady Senators. “She reads the court quickly to anticipate sets and put herself in position to attack,” said Crook. “Looking for her to step up and embrace a leadership role this season.”

Another returning varsity player is Kaeli Houston (Libero, 5-3, Jr.), who anchors the back row with steady, reliable defense and sharp court awareness. Crook said of Houston’s play, “Her quick reactions and consistent passing give the offense a strong platform to work from, while her communication helps keep the defense organized. I’m looking for Kaeli to really step up and be a leader this season.”

A first-year varsity player for the Senators is Aubrie Ragan (Utility, 5-5, Jr.) who is known to have a high volleyball IQ as her smart decision-making make her a valuable asset anywhere on the court for Sparkman. “She’s a defensively solid, reliable presence on the back row while also capable of stepping in as an attacking threat when called upon,” said Crook.

Madison Academy

Rachel Reynolds has been a vital part of the Madison Academy volleyball “family,” and now is ready to lead the Lady Mustangs as new head coach. As a Madison Academy alumna, where she was a multi-sport athlete and developed the foundation that continues to shape her leadership today, Reynolds has been with the volleyball program the last eight seasons as an assistant on the varsity team and head coach of both the middle school and junior varsity squads. She replaced Nikki Knott who retired from coaching after seven superb seasons at the helm of Madison Academy volleyball.

Last year’s team finished the campaign at Super Regionals with a record of 27-17. Some of that superb talent returns in 2026 for Reynolds. Four returning seniors, two of which earned post-season honors on numerous lists, make up a good part of the roster that features more than the before mentioned four seniors. The team also consists of five juniors and two sophomores.

“We have a very driven group of young ladies who are motivated and hardworking,” said Reynolds, who has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s from the University of West Alabama. “Our theme this year is ‘Set the Standard’ as we are challenging each player to be process driven in pursuing their goals, work hard and continually strive to build their character both on and off the court.”

The two honored players returning for the Lady Mustangs are Bekah Mouser (OH/DS, 5-7, Sr.), who had 314 kills, 30 aces, 392 digs and 15 blocks last season, and Janelle Lowery (RS,S, 5-10, Sr.), who posted 268 kills and 24 blocks a season ago.

The four returning seniors are no stranger to the Madison Academy program as they have played at the varsity level since their sophomore year. Reynolds is also looking at two sophomores to be exciting to watch and bring that excitement to the team. Cydney Crawford (OH, DS, 5-9, So.) and Evie Stephenson (MH, DS, 5-3, So.) both are expected to play a big part in the Mustang’s schedule as that workload includes stops in Guntersville, Miss. and Orange Beach, Ala.

There’s a changing of the guard at Madison Academy, but school administration feels the future is bright in the volleyball program.

Madison Academy will participate in the new alignment AHSAA Private II division.