Changes made at Cullman, Vinemont, West Point for 2024 VB:
GDW Analysis:
Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) sees the volleyball status moving right along in July, now that Independence Day has come and gone.
Two of the next three weeks will see teams at playday assignments.
Gameday Weekly has been notified and will be on assignment next week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Others could be added, if GDW can get information from the 7 schools in the county system, plus Cullman, Cullman Christian and St. Bernard.
Three programs encounter a coaching change.
Amy Hudson is now at Cullman after having huge success in Arab.
Bobby Daniels is leading the Vinemont Lady Eagles after becoming well known for success from Jasper High School.
Meagan Cagle gets back on the sideline in being the new coach at West Point. She put together a winning formula in her time at Cullman High School.
It's probable that Cullman, Vinemont and West Point will have playdays this week. Vinemont was in one prior to the start of July at Supreme Courts in Guntersville.
West Point has one set up on Friday from Jim Boyd Gymnasium.
Amy Hudson:
Hudson handled the Arab Lady Knights from 2021 through last season. Arab caught lightning in a bottle for earning 130 victories under her. Arab was in the 5A Final Four the last two years, having results of 49 & 14 in 2022 and 48 & 14 a season ago.
Cullman compiled 22 victories last season. Projected to return for the 2024 season are junior Blakely Brannon, seniors Ava Ray, Ava Colvard, Karina Harris and Laura Katherine Granger.
Cullman will be in 6A, Area 13 with Jasper and Mortimer Jordan.
Bobby Daniels:
Daniels was at Jasper from 2015 until last September when he resigned from coaching the Lady Vikings.
Jasper soared to great heights in being the AHSAA winner in 5A in 2018 and 2019.
He had Jasper deep into the playoffs eight times from four berths in the Elite 8, four in the Final Four and the two state title runs.
Projected to return for Vinemont and start the Daniels era are Carley Stephens, Addison Holcomb, Morgan Flanagan and Caroline Miller.
Vinemont has a large field of area opponents. The Lady Eagles compete in 3A, Area 11 with Hanceville, Holly Pond, JB Pennington and Locust Fork.
Meagan Cagle:
In making the move from Cullman to West Point, staying away from the game for the last two years, Cagle has good criteria in getting the most from her personnel.
Only four wins in her inaugural campaign, Cagle erased that with Cullman producing 24, 24, 30 and 30 victories per season from 2018 to 2021.
In a three year stretch, West Point weaved its program up the ladder in Class 5A. The Lady Warriors tallied 48 victories and a trip to the state championship series in 2020. Leading the team was Regina Jones who will be going into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame on July 20.
Key people projected to be on the floor for Cagle next month include Katie Beth Yovino, Caitlee Simmons, Laklin Shadix.
West Point matches up with Lawrence County and Russellville in Area 15 play of Class 5A.
Elsewhere:
Micah Means at Cold Springs (2nd year)
Katie Ball at Fairview (2nd year)
Natasha Holder at Good Hope (8th year)
Morgan Hammock at Hanceville (2nd year)
Adrien Adams at Holly Pond (4th year)
Alicia Fallin at St. Bernard (3rd year)
Sydney Rowell at Cullman Christian (2nd year)
Good Hope has won the county championship the last three years. The Lady Raiders will go into 2024 without 2 time MVP Ivey Maddox and last year's MVP, Charley Johnson. Both graduated in May.
The Lady Raiders are expected to have Mckenzie Cruce, Campbell Koch and Molly Benefield that were starters last season.
Coach Holder awaits for the return of Jolee McHan. McHan has gone through recovering from ACL surgery earlier this year and is making progress according to what GDW has learned.
The seven county coaches will visit with GDW and others in the Cullman County Fall Sports Media Day July 22.
The 2024 season will officially begin on August 22.
Photo of new Cullman volleyball coach Amy Hudson.
Photo courtesy of Cullman Daily.
