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October 23, 2008

Bulldogs advance to state tourney

By Justin Graves

ADDISON — 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.

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