By Lee Davis
After winning two consecutive Class 7A state volleyball championships, the Mountain Brook Lady Spartans might be automatically favored to earn their third consecutive blue trophy.
But taking the prize might not be quite that simple. Yes, Mountain Brook was imposing last season, posting a 57-6 record climaxed by a sweep of McGill-Toolen to win a second straight title. Unfortunately for the Spartans, three mainstays of the two championship teams – Sara Carr, Sara Chandler Mitchell and Payton Selman – all picked up their diplomas last spring.
Nevertheless, Mountain Brook should be formidable and could put up a robust defense of its championship crown.
“I think we will be a contender,” Lady Spartan coach Haven O’Quinn said. “Class 7A will be a lot of fun this season. There are lots of teams that will be in contention, and I think we’ll be one of them.”
While Carr, Mitchell and Chandler were three of the greatest players in Mountain Brook history, there is plenty of talent in the pipeline for the new season.
Three experienced seniors will lead Mountain Brook on the front line, Emmy Kilgore, Caroline Davies and Ellie Ritter. Lacey Jeffcoat will be outstanding on defense, while Libby Grace Gann will direct the offense from the setter position. Junior Mimi Meadows threatens rival defenses from the right side.
Others expected to contribute are KayKay Benck, Grace Carr, Sarah Catherine Cooper, Ellie Dayhuff, Ellen Dulin, Ann Vandevelde and Lauren Walston.
“Obviously we had some great leaders last season and they will be difficult to replace,” O’Quinn said. “But we also have some experienced players returning who understand the world and dedication required to win at the highest level. Now it’s just a matter of working to get the team chemistry right. I’m very excited about what this group can accomplish.”
One thing is certain. The schedule will not allow the Lady Spartans much time to develop that all-important chemistry. They open the season against old foe McGill-Toolen on Aug. 25. The following day, Mountain Brook competes in the prestigious Juanita Boddie Tournament, followed by battles with Bob Jones and John Carroll Catholic.
The Lady Spartans will compete in Class 7A’s Area Six along with Huffman, Oak Mountain and Spain Park.
“Nobody in the state could play a more difficult schedule than we do,” O’Quinn said. “Our young ladies understand that there are no easy matches or sure wins. Any night we don’t bring our best game, we can lose.”
Perhaps one of the strongest reasons to be bullish about Mountain Brook’s chances in 2016 is O’Quinn herself. Over the course of several seasons, she has turned the Spartan program into one of Alabama’s best. Former Mountain Brook players say that O’Quinn knew how to balance work and fun during practice sessions.
“We worked so hard in practice – but at the same time Coach O’Quinn could make it fun,” said Mitchell, who was a two-time all-state selection for Mountain Brook. “She was especially good at having us simulate pressure situations in practice that were sure to come up in a close game. That way, we were ready for anything.”
Mitchell added that O’Quinn knew how to handle her players effectively both on and off the volleyball court.
“Coach always knew how to hit the correct buttons to motivate us,” Mitchell said. “We were disciplined, but at the same time we were comfortable coming to her if we had an issue to discuss. There’s no doubt that she was a big part of the success we had at Mountain Brook while I was there.”
Mountain Brook’s recent success in volleyball has spurred new interest in the game, according to Mitchell.
“A few years ago I would work at summer volleyball camps and we’d have maybe 30 girls, and half of them had probably never played the game in their lives,” she recalled. “Lately we’ve had over 70. I’d like to think the success we’ve had led to that increase.”
It’s always difficult to win three consecutive state championships. But if O’Quinn can find the right chemistry, the Lady Spartans will offer a tough concoction for their opponents to swallow.
