By Rubin E. Grant
Savannah Gann didn’t shy away when things got a little tight during matches for the Vestavia Hills volleyball team this season.
Instead, the Rebels’ senior outside hitter elevated her level of play.
“Savannah is a fierce competitor,” Vestavia Hills coach Ashley Hardee said. “She’s always working to get better. She’s a six-rotation player.”
“She stepped up in critical moments. She put teams away when we had the lead or she brought us back when we were behind.”
With Gann leading the way, Vestavia Hills reached the Class 7A North Regional and finished with a 29-10 record. She recorded 537 kills to surpass 1,000 for her career. She also tallied 265 digs, 43 aces and 18 blocks.
For her performance, Gann is the 2022 OTM Volleyball Player of the Year, selected in balloting by Over the Mountain volleyball coaches.
“I am truly honored,” Gann said. “I don’t want to sound like I’m super shocked, but I didn’t think I would get an award like this because there is a lot of talent Over the Mountain.
“I think I played well. I think I had the best year of my career. I stepped into a leadership role that I hadn’t done in the past.”
Hardee appreciates that others noticed how well Gann played this fall.
“I am excited about her being recognized by all the coaches Over the Mountain,” Hardee said. “She’s very deserving. She’s a great athlete, a great student and a great person.”
As a team-first player, Gann was disappointed that the Rebels didn’t advance to the state tournament. They were eliminated in the first round of regionals by Bob Jones.
“I wish we could have won one more game and gotten to state,” Gann said. “But I think the team as a whole improved a lot during the season.
“It was the favorite season of my life, from a personal standpoint and a team standpoint. We had great team chemistry and we were playing at such a high level.”
Gann plans to play in college, but she’s currently sorting through her options.
“It would be amazing to play in college, but I’m still in the process of making a decision,” she said.
All-OTM Roster
Gann heads up the 2022 All-OTM volleyball team. She is joined by her Vestavia Hills teammate Audrey Vielguth, a libero.
Hoover, which reached the Class 7A state tournament, had four players voted to the squad – outside hitter Raegan James, middle hitter Kenzie Richards, right side Kendyl Mitchell and setter Maggie Harris.
Mountain Brook, which reached the Class 6A semifinals, landed three players on the team – middle hitters Alice Garzon and Mae Mae Lacey, and setter Hannah Parant.
Spain Park and Homewood both had two players make the team. Outside hitter Emily Breazeale and libero Brooklyn Allison are the Jaguars’ representatives, while the Patriots’ representatives are middle hitter Mira McCool and libero Sydney Humes.
Rounding out the team are Briarwood outside hitter Stella Helms and Oak Mountain right side Lauren Schuessler.
Coach of the Year
Hoover’s Amanda Wood was voted the 2022 OTM Coach of the Year. She guided the Bucs to a 35-17 record and a state tournament appearance in her first season. Hoover lost 3-2 to Enterprise in a back-and-forth match in the Class 7A quarterfinals.
“I did not expect it, but I am superflattered that a group of elite coaches picked me,” Wood said. “I don’t think I deserve any recognition without my kids.
“The girls worked hard. I am superproud of them. I wish we could have gone at least one more round in the state tournament.”
