By Rubin E. Grant
Toward the end of the regular season, Spain Park lost five consecutive volleyball matches against stiff in-state competition, including the top-ranked teams in Class 6A (Mountain Brook) and 7A (Bob Jones).
The streak caused some doubt about the Jaguars’ postseason chances, with a quick exit in the forecast.
The Jags have proven those doubts were unwarranted, earning a spot in this week’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Elite Eight state tournament at the Birmingham Crossplex and Harris Arena.
Spain Park (21-20) will play Enterprise (39-9) in the Class 7A quarterfinals at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Crossplex. The semifinals are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday and the final at noon Thursday at Harris Arena.
“We’ve gone through a lot of adversity against a tough schedule and a lot of growing,” Spain Park coach Kellye Bowen said. “That’s helped us be tougher on the back end of our schedule. At the end of the day, I give God all the glory for reaching these kids in more ways than volleyball.”
Hoover also is in the 7A field. The Bucs (30-23) will play St. Paul’s Episcopal (41-12) at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Mountain Brook (42-5) advanced in Class 6A and was scheduled to play McAdory (23-18) Tuesday afternoon. The Class 6A semifinals were set for 6 p.m. Tuesday and the final for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Spain Park began the postseason by winning the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament, defeating Chelsea in straight sets, then knocking off regular-season champion Oak Mountain in an epic five-set final, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 15-12.
Then, in the Class 7A North Super Regional Tournament last week at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, the Jags defeated James Clemens 3-2 and Hoover 3-0, before losing to Bob Jones 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-15) in the regional final.
Sophomore outside hitter Megan Ingersoll set a school record for a single match with 34 kills against James Clemens, and in the same match sophomore setter Cailyn Kyes set a school record for assists in a single match with 57.
“It was awesome,” Bowen said. “The whole team bought in.
“The one thing we have talked about is how you have to have grit, not just in volleyball, but as a person. I think that’s what has propelled us in the postseason.”
Ingeroll and Kyes have been strong performers throughout the season along with junior outside hitter Reagan Gilbert. Ingersoll has 458 kills and 235 digs for the season and Kyes has 725 assists. Gilbert has 285 kills and 222 digs.
The Jags also have received solid contributions from junior middle hitter Alex Benda (149 kills, 53 blocks) and senior libero Grace Devlin (241 digs).
“The biggest thing is we’ve had so much fun,” Bowen said. “This team plays with a lot of passion, sometimes too much, but that’s OK.”
The Jags won the 2021 Class 7A title but were eliminated in the regional in 2022. With Class 7A defending champion McGill-Toolen and Bob Jones in the Elite Eight field, the Jags enter the state tournament as heavy underdogs.
“We know we’re playing with house money,” Bowen said. “People didn’t expect us to be here.
I think we all put our shoes on the same way and prepare the same way. It all comes down to how you execute.
“Belief is bigger than anything. You have to believe you can do something and have everyone pulling in the right direction. It’s going to be fun.”
Spartans, Bayside on Collision Course
Mountain Brook also is looking to ascend to the throne again. The Spartans won Class 6A titles in 2020 and 2021 as part of three consecutive state championships, including the 2019 Class 7A crown. But Mountain Brook lost to Bayside Academy in the 2022 Class 6A semifinals.
Bayside went on to earn its 21st consecutive title – won over multiple classifications – and 31st overall, both national records.
The teams are on a collision course, provided Mountain Brook beats McAdory and Bayside wins its opening match against Oxford.
“I know we’d sure like for there to be a do-over,” Mountain Brook coach Mattie Gardner said.
“We’ve got to get through McAdory first, but we’re getting a plan of attack together, too, should we meet Bayside.”
The Spartans entered the state tournament after a dominating performance in the North Super Regional. They didn’t drop a set while sweeping Pinson Valley, Hartselle, Oxford and Fort Payne in three games each.
“The girls were focused whenever they stepped on the court,” Gardner said. “The good thing is we got to play all our players so they all got to contribute to it.
“I feel our team is continuing to get better. So much of the time, teams plateau and are performing at the same level and that’s a good thing, but our team wants to get a little cleaner and play a little tighter. It’s fun to see them wanting to get better.”
