Local Sports
Bulldogs advance to state tourney
By Justin GravesADDISON — Pam Wilkins took a few minutes to think about the question. It was something the Addison High volleyball coach should have known.
How many consecutive trips has Addison made to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s state volleyball tournament?
Wilkins thought she had the answer, but she just wasn’t sure. So the Bulldogs coach turned to one of her former players for some help.
“What was the first year that we won (the state championship)?” Wilkins asked. “Do you remember?”
After discussing Addison’s storied volleyball tradition for a few moments, the group decided that the Bulldogs won their first of three straight state titles in 2003. And since the program’s string of consecutive state tournament appearances started a year prior, Thursday night’s sub-state sweep of Horseshoe Bend runs the tally up to seven in a row.
“That’s it. This is our seventh straight trip,” Wilkins said. “It’s hard to keep all of that stuff straight.”
Having too much tradition to keep up with isn’t a bad problem to have when you’re in the coaching business. But that’s the life of an Addison volleyball coach — or at least that’s how it’s been under Wilkins.
Since Wilkins took over the program, the Bulldogs have churned out hundreds of wins, three state titles, two state runner-up finishes and seven straight Elite 8 appearances.
Addison’s players hope to add a little more to that tradition next week when the Bulldogs open the Class 2A state tournament Wednesday at the Pelham Civic Complex.
If Addison can duplicate its performance against Horseshoe Bend a few more times, playing for a fourth state title could easily happen.
The Bulldogs cruised past Horseshoe Bend, eliminating the Generals 25-8, 25-15, 25-4.
Sadie Beam led Addison with 11 kills and six aces, while Haley Wiggins added seven kills and two aces. Kaitlyn Parker also recorded six kills, while Megan Box had five and Kaydi Langley added four.
Addison opens the state tournament with Leroy, which took 3 of 4 games from Isabella Thursday night.
‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.
- Local Sports
-
- WALLACE STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Lions grab win in season opener
- PREP FOOTBALL: Tigers end Fairview’s season with rout
-
PREP FOOTBALL: EARLY WAKE-UP CALL
There were no postgame celebrations. Just handshakes and somber faces as the players made their way off the field.
Cullman High had just defeated Wenonah 21-6 in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs, but the postgame vibe felt more like a Bearcats loss. -
PREP FOOTBALL: Red Devils ambush Eagles
ELKMONT — The Vinemont Eagles were ambushed Friday night at Boss Hill Stadium. With the game tied 7-7, Elkmont High exploded for five touchdowns in less than six minutes late in the first half en route to a 56-7 victory in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
- More than 40 local runners qualify for state cross country meet
-
PREP VOLLEYBALL: Addison senior inks scholarship with Wallace St.
ADDISON — For the last couple years, Kaydi Langley knew exactly where she wanted to go to college.
After Thursday, Langley’s wish is now reality. -
PREP FOOTBALL: Postseason deja vu
Wenonah High versus Cullman. Sound familiar?
It should. These two teams played in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs last year.
And they’ll meet again tonight in the exact same scenario. -
TALKIN' PREPS: Playoff-bound Aggies keep moving in the right direction
FAIRVIEW — Outside the home locker room at Fairview High, the celebration was loud enough that you almost thought you were part of the team.
-
RECLASS SHAKES UP AREA
No one at West Point High was surprised when the Alabama High School Athletic Association released its reclassification numbers for the 2010-12 school years.
West Point’s return to Class 4A was short-lived. When the ’10 football season begins next fall, the Warriors will be playing in Class 5A, Region 6 alongside Cullman, Hartselle and Walker.
-
PREP BASKETBALL: Cullman uses late push to beat Clay-Chalkville
CULLMAN — Morgan Smith didn’t deliver a freshman performance in her second varsity basketball game.
- More Local Sports Headlines
