GDW looks back at local volleyball playdays during month of July:
GDW Analysis:
Volleyball playdays for teams in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) are now done.
What the teams are waiting for is Monday to arrive when they officially start practice with the 2024 season to take center stage on August 22.
Gameday Weekly took to playdays from West Morgan, Wallace State, West Point and Good Hope in getting a chance to see what the local teams will present. Each will see 2024 in a different way from last season as many are filling vacancies based on a high number of players graduating.
Of the 7 that are based in the Cullman County system, 6 were analyzed by GDW multiple times between July 8 to July 26.
The only school not seen by GDW was Hanceville as they were at different playdays from hosting one and reportedly playing in a series at Supreme Courts in Guntersville.
For the county teams, each used the playday period working on new personnel with the opportunity to make a name for themselves.
Under GDW analyzing, these are the following with the chance to contribute to the quest of the team's success in 2024.
Good Hope:
Three time Cullman County champion with 66 victories in the last two seasons, the Lady Raiders are adjusting as Campbell Koch and Carley Adams played well in July. Koch is the designated setter with Adams a left hander showing plenty in attacking on the front line.
Coach Natasha Holder is waiting to get back senior Jolee McHan and sophomore Molly Benefield with both recovering from injuries.
West Point:
The Lady Warriors showed a lot of spirit and determination with new coach Meagan Cagle. West Point is experienced with Cagle looking for seniors Maci Brown and Katie Beth Yovino plus sophomore Laklin Shadix providing the team the opportunity they see that is possible for 2024.
Vinemont:
Hiring Bobby Daniels with two decades of success everywhere he has coached and an experienced squad understanding him, Vinemont is eager to soar toward the top of the county and in their respective area.
Seniors Carley Stephens and Aubrie Sandlin plus junior Caroline Miller worked hard in July with Vinemont getting tested by solid opposition in a pair of playdays at Wallace State.
Holly Pond:
New people take to the floor for coach Adrien Adams. Graduation made its round and this season is a case of working from the ground up.
Key people that return for the Lady Broncos include juniors Ava Thomas and Blakely Baggett and senior Darla Frederick.
Fairview:
Another unit that will display plenty of new faces is Fairview. Five starters said goodbye to a good 2023 with four of them moving onward to collegiate programs.
Karlie English is the lone starter returning for coach Katie Ball.
Having a good playday series, sophomore Kailyn Redding has earned the opportunity to become a starter and the Lady Aggies will also use the athleticism of newcomer Whitney Quick, formerly of Vinemont.
Hanceville:
Looking to continue their climb in the 2nd season under Morgan Hammock, Hanceville has five seniors that seek the best in their role for 2024.
Kenzie Twilley, Zoe Pitts, Jazlyn Flanagan, Karys Henderson and Olivia Stallings have caught on to what Hammock is delivering in her role from the sidelines.
Cold Springs:
Kate Peek is now leading the Lady Eagles. A team that will be young and eager to show production from practice to assignments, the Lady Eagles approach the upcoming season with a lot to gain and very little to lose.
Senior Josie Williams represented the Lady Eagles in the recent CCBOE media day. Others that Peek will seek to deliver regularly are senior Cloe Shelton and junior Cheyene Bishop.
The other local teams:
Cullman comes into 2024 with a new coach in Amy Hudson that raised Arab to strong appearances the last two years in the AHSAA 5A playoffs.
Sydney Rowell will be in her 2nd season at Cullman Christian School. The Lady Lions are officially in the AHSAA after their 2 year probation period. Enthusiasm is high for CCS with the school now having a new floor that was formerly of the G League team of the NBA's Boston Celtics.
St. Bernard Prep will again have Alicia Fallin in control of the program. The Lady Saints look to their matchups with Cullman Christian now the two are in the same area.
St. Bernard has some experience and will play hard as they did in being seen a few times by GDW last season.
Season opener:
On August 22,
Vinemont will host Cullman Christian School and Columbia in a tri match starting at 4:30, a tri match with Holly Pond and Hayden visiting Good Hope will get under way at 4:30, Cold Springs will head to Locust Fork for a 5:00 p.m. opener.
Everyone else will get into their schedule the final week of August.
Photo of West Point Lady Warriors in a playday vs. Covenant Christian July 26 from Jim Boyd Gymnasium.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton
