2023 High School Volleyball in Franklin County

B3• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com

August 30, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL in Franklin County Featuring all local teams!  Russellville  Red Bay  Belgreen  Tharptown  Phil Campbell

Volleyball Spotlight: Russellville Golden Tigers

By Brannon King For the FCT The Russellville Golden Tigers are starting the volleyball season under the leadership of a new head coach as the program looks to develop consistency at a high level of play on the court.

William White brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Russellville team as he enters his first season as head coach of the Golden Tigers. White comes to RHS after serving as an assistant at Baylor University. Before joining the staff at Baylor, he was an assistant at the University of North Alabama and Blue Mountain College in Mississippi.

White also spent time as the head coach at Ohio Valley University.

The Russellville squad has been hard at work learning from White and

his assistant coaches, and the group has adopted the motto of “One Way” as the team heads into the 2023 season.

“We always talk about ‘One Way’ in our program,” White said of the goal and key emphasis of the team. “We talk about that standard being really high and trying to meet that standard. Sometimes we meet it, and sometimes we don’t, whether it’s in practice or the play dates that we’ve had so far, but it’s a constant strive to try to get there.”

When a new coach takes the reins of a program, it is not uncommon for there to be new ideas and ways of going about the pursuit of success.

“There have been some changes,” White said.

“We’ve had to implement our system and put in some processes and things that are specific to what we’re trying to accomplish now. Things

are a little different, but with any program, when a new coach comes in, they’re going to change up some stuff, and that’s no different from what we’ve done. We’ve implemented a new offense, new defense and we’re just trying to do things a little differently and hope that it works out.”

Russellville’s roster has a group of seniors that have experience in varsity matches and they will be joined by younger players that add depth to the team.

“We moved Laila Hill from middle to opposite,” White said. “Laila’s a 6’2” sophomore, and she absolutely can just hammer the ball. We’re hoping that by moving her to opposite, she can get more sets per match.

She was already hitting at a high-efficiency rate, we’re just hoping that doing this will get more opportunities for her.”

Look for the Golden

2023 Russellville Volleyball Roster

2023 Russellville Volleyball Schedule Aug. 24

Wilson/Lexington

Away

Aug. 26

Alcorn Central Tournament

Away

3

Avery Watts

4

Laila Hill

Aug. 29

Brewer*/Hartselle

Away

5

Kaylee Hamilton

Aug. 31

Alcorn Central

Home

6

Fatima Ramirez

Sept. 5

Lawrence County*

Away

8

Khristyan Huerta

Sept. 7

Haleyville/Lamar County

Away

9

Destiny Elkins

Sept. 12

Brewer*/Hamilton

Home

10

Haylee Patrick

Sept. 14

Deshler/Wilson

Away

11

Blevyn Sappington

Sept. 18

Covenant Christian/Belgreen

Away

13

Natalie Nichols

Sept. 19

Hatton/Mars Hill

Away

15

Lya Ramirez

Sept. 21

West Point*/Wilson

Home

16

Bella Malone

Sept. 23

Brooks Tournament

Away

18

Alexia Groce

Sept. 26

Lawrence County*

Home

19

Kylee Phifer

Sept. 28

West Point*

Away

20

Josie Burcham

Oct. 3

Haleyville

Home

21

Haylee Rikard

Oct. 5

Central/Colbert County

Home

22

Bri McCulloch

Oct. 10

Rogers/East Lawrence

Away

23

Hope Bonman

Oct. 12

Deshler/Covenant Christian

Home

26

Emma Campbell

*Denotes area match

Tigers to lean on a couple of seniors that White mentioned as strong and consistent hitters -- Natalie Nichols and

Avery Watts. Also representing the senior class on the roster are Emma Campbell, Kylee Phifer and Destiny Elkins.

Russellville is in Class 5A Area 15 with the Brewer Patriots, Lawrence County Red Devils and West Point Warriors.

B4• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com

August 30, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL in Franklin County

Belgreen Volleyball 2023

By Bart Moss For the FCT Julianna Potts is one of four new coaches on the Franklin County volleyball circuit. Potts is a native of Miss., and she inherited a volleyball team that loves the game.

“I have learned that my girls are all in,” said Potts. “These girls want to learn, they come into practice each day eager to learn the game of volleyball. My girls are buying into what I am selling, and it’s showing.”

Potts has always emphasized what she calls a “Bulldog Mentality,” which fits well with her new school.

“It’s kind of ironic that the mentality I want our girls to take on is the mascot of the school I am at,”

Potts explained. “Early on, when I accepted this job, I explained to my girls about having a ‘Bulldog Mentality’ that means that when we get ahead, we close in and finish a game, we hang on to that lead. Just like a Bulldog when it gets its mouth on something, it doesn’t let up or let go until the object it has in its mouth is no longer a threat. My girls already have that mentality, so my expectations are nothing less than success.”

Potts said her team needs to focus on the little things in the game that can lead to a win or loss.

“As a whole, we need to work on getting better at taking control of the little errors that can occur when we get caught up in the moment of playing the

ROSTER Belgreen Volleyball 2023

Belgreen Bulldogs Volleyball Schedule 2023

Belgreen High School Volleyball Varisty team – Coach Julianna Potts

Aug. 24

Shoals Christian

Away

Players and Numbers

Aug. 26

Colbert Heights Tournament

Away

Hannah Borden

19

Aug. 28

Red Bay/Cherokee

Away

Shaylyn Bryant

5

Aug. 29

Waterloo

Away

Natalie Campos-Willingham

2

Aug. 31

Athens Bible

Home

Carson Hovater

42

Sept. 2

Tharptown Tournament

Away

Morgan Lauderdale

8

Sept. 5

Hackleburg*

Away

Bryn Scott

3

Sept. 7

Franklin Co. Quad Match

Away

Laura Beth Seal

10

Alayna Tate

22

Sept. 9

Bulldog Bash

Home

Isabella Tate

11

Sept. 11

Red Bay/Colbert Heights

Home

Morgan Vandiver

1

Sept. 14

Phillips*

Away

Audree West

13

Sept. 16

First Metro Tournament

Away

Lilliana Willingham

14

Sept. 19

Hackleburg*

Home

Sept. 28

Phillips*

Home

Oct. 3

Colbert Heights/Tharptown

Away

Oct. 7

Franklin Co. Tournament

Away

Oct. 10

Shoals Christian

Home

Oct. 14

Guntersville Tournament

Away

game,” she explained.

Potts is looking forward to the start of the season and getting to know her team.

“I see the fight and drive in my girls’ eyes of

wanting to be successful, and I have a wonderful group of players on and off the court. I am excited to kick off this season and watch them grow as players.”

*Denotes Area Match

Red Bay Volleyball Preview 2023

By Bart Moss For the FCT Elizabeth Scott is another new coach on the volleyball court in Franklin County this year. Scott, a native of Red Bay, where she graduated and played basketball, is looking forward to her new adventure as the Tiger volleyball coach.

“As a first-year coach, I have learned more from them and about them than I ever thought I would,” said Scott. “Their love for volleyball is contagious.

They are a group of hardworking girls and are sure to always encourage one another on and off the court.”

Scott looks forward to the upcoming season and believes her team has what it takes to be successful.

“I expect a successful season from my girls. We have worked hard this

summer to strengthen ourselves in the weight room and at practice,” said Scott. “I expect the team to give 100% effort in all that we are doing. If the girls can give their all on the court, I know we will come out on top this season.”

Scott said her team needs to concentrate and communicate better to achieve their goals.

“We need to focus on continuing to communicate with each other by calling the ball, talking with each other and helping those who may be out of position,” Scott explained. “Some of my girls have never played together, so our chemistry is something that needs continuous attention at practice to build a bond.

I’m excited to get the season started to see how much our practice and effort has paid off.”

Whatever her team’s

Red Bay Volleyball Roster 2023 Addyson Blackburn

#1

Shaily Warren

#5

Anna Kate Burks

#8

Gracie Weatherford

#15

Hannah Butler

#16

Shelby Nichols

#18

Kenzlee Bohannon

# 24

Journee Swann

#26

Reagan Gordon

#28

Haidyn Emerson

#27

deficiency is, Scott believes their love of the game will supersede it.

“Our team’s energy and love for volleyball is something that really stands out to me,” said Scott. “They are eager to get practice started each day. Their positive attitudes during practice and our summer games set them apart. They are all encouraging and accepting of each other. They push each other to be bet-

2023 Red Bay Volleyball Schedule Red Bay Tiger Volleyball 2023-2024 Varsity Schedule 8/24

Phil Campbell

6:30 p.m.

8/26

Colbert Heights Invitational Tournament

TBA

8/28

Home - Cherokee & Belgreen Tri-Match

5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

8/29

Home - Sulligent

6:30 p.m.

8/31

Tharptown - Tharptown and Colbert Heights Tri-Match 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

9/5

Winston County

5:30 p.m.

9/7

Tharptown - County Quad Tournament

TBA

9/11

Belgreen

6:00 p.m.

9/12

Lamar County

5:30 p.m.

9/14

Hackleburg

6:00 p.m.

9/18

Home - Tharptown and Itawamba Tri-Match

4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

9/19

Sulligent

4:30 p.m.

9/21

Home - Lamar County and Belmont Tri-Match

5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

9/23

Hamilton Tournament

TBA

9/26

Home - Winston County and Phil Campbell Tri-Match

5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

9/28

Home - Hackelburg (Senior Night)

6:00 p.m.

10/3

Belmont

6:00 p.m.

10/07

Home - County Tournament

TBA

10/09

Sheffield - Sheffield and Hatton Tri-Match

ter players and hold their teammates to high stan-

Russellville R ussellllvililllle City City Councilmen: Councililmen:

David Palmer, District 1; Darren Woodruff, District 2; Gary Cummings, District 3; Dexter Hamilton, District 4; Jamie Harris, District 5; Mayor David R. Grissom

dards. My girls are competitive and take volley-

A Great Place t to Live, Work & Raise a family

ball seriously on and off the court.”

Good Luck Golden Tigers!

Working to improve our schools and the future of our children.

B5• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com

August 30, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL in Franklin County

Tharptown Volleyball Preview 2023

By Bart Moss For the FCT

Kamri Fleming is the only volleyball coach in Franklin County that coached her team last year. All other schools underwent a coaching change in the off-season.

Fleming, a volleyball player in high school at Tharptown, gives the Wildcats a stable veteran in charge of the program.

One thing Fleming expects from her team is more wins.

“I expect more wins from our girls this season,” said Fleming.

“Last year, we were very young, and only had two players to return from the previous season after graduating six seniors. It made for a really rocky

season for us, but the girls understood we were young and inexperienced on the varsity level. This year will be different for us, and I am excited to see it play out.”

Fleming said that hitting the ball with power and consistency will be a must for the Wildcats if they want to achieve their goals.

“We know that putting the ball away was our biggest struggle last season, and we are going to have to do that in order to have success in the winning category. We have focused a lot on hitting this off-season and at practice, and the girls have come a long way,” Fleming explained.

“Last year, we struggled with hitting, not because we couldn’t do it,

but because we were still young and hadn’t gained a lot of confidence in our hitting abilities yet. This year should be different because we are entering the season experienced, confident and a lot stronger.”

Fleming is encouraged about the direction of the program because of her team’s love of the game.

“Most of the girls on this team truly love the game of volleyball and have put in a lot of work this summer,” said Fleming. “Most importantly they love each other and they get along so well. They cheer for each other, push each other and have started holding each other accountable and it shows on the floor when they play. It gives me a good

2023 Tharptown Wildcats Volleyball Schedule

Tharptown Roster Volleyball 2023

Aug. 24

Hackleburg/Cherokee

Home

Charlie Sue Montgomery 1

Aug. 26

Colbert Heights Tournament

Away

Kaleigh Massey

2

Aug. 29

Cherokee

Away

Carly Cason

4

Aug. 31

Colbert Heights/Red Bay

Home

Karrah Nichols

6

Sept. 2

Tharptown Invitational

Home

Leslie Perez

7

Sept. 5

St. Josephs/Belgreen/Sheffield*

Home

Malia McCullar

8

Sept. 7

County Quad

Home

Angie Chavez

9

Sept. 9

Belgreen Tounament

Away

Alyssa Dalrymple

10

Sept. 11

Mars Hill*

Away

Leonela Vela-Jaquez

13

Sept. 12

Hatton*/Sheffield*

Away

Harleigh Borden

14

Sept. 18

Red Bay

Away

Krymson Tverberg

17

Sept. 19

Lexington*/Colbert Co.

Home

Kaden Woodard

18

Sept. 21

Hackleburg/Sulligent

Away

Ashton Tharp

24

Sept. 25

Hatton*/Phillips

Home

Sept. 26

Colbert Co.

Away

Sept. 28

Lexington*

Away

Oct. 3

Colbert Heights

Away

Oct. 5

Mars Hill*/Phil Campbell

Home

Oct. 7

Franklin Co. Tournament

Away

Oct. 9

Phil Campbell

Away

feeling going into the new season to see how hard they’re going to compete against other teams, just by seeing how hard they have been pushing and competing against each other this summer.”

*Denotes area match

Phil Campbell Volleyball Preview

Phil Campbell is one of four volleyball teams in Franklin County with new coaches. Julianna Taylor will lead the Bobcat volleyball program as Amy Moss steps back into an assistant role after starting the program three years ago.

In the short time Taylor has been with the Bobcats she has learned alot about the team.

“During our time together, I’ve learned that my team has a lot of potential and enthusiasm,” said Taylor. “They’re eager to learn and improve, which

is a great foundation to build upon.”

Taylor, who played college volleyball at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi, is looking for discipline and focus from her team.

“I’m looking to create a disciplined and focused team that excels both on and off the court. I expect us to push our boundaries and aim for a strong performance in every match.”

For Phil Campbell to succeed, Taylor says her team needs to focus on consistency and coordination.

“Our success this season hinges on improving our serving accuracy and defensive coordination,” Taylor explained. “If we can consistently control our serves and maintain a solid defense, we’ll be in a great position to win matches.”

Taylor likes that her team is enthusiastic and wants to learn the game.

“The thing that gives me a good feeling about my team is their positive energy and eagerness to learn. Their enthusiasm for the game and their

ROSTER Phil Campbell Volleyball 2023

Red Bay/Phillips

Home

Lydia Garrison

1

Aug. 26

Colbert Heights Tournament

Away

Britney Coffman

4

Aug. 29

Hackleburg/Colbert Co.*

Home

Mary Beth Fisher

11

Aug. 31

Belgreen/Shoals Christian

Home

Avery Cummings

12

Sept. 5

Hamilton/Carbon Hill

Away

Tasha Trapp

15

Sept. 7

Belgreen/Red Bay/Tharptown

Away

Patience Mays

20

Sept. 9

Belgreen Tournament

Away

Bradley McDaniel

21

Sept. 11

Phillips/Hubbertville

Away

Kaylie Motes

23

Sept. 12

Colbert Heights*/Waterloo

Away

Mia Ambrosio

24

Sept. 14

Colbert Co.*

Away

Macey Welborn

25

Sept. 25

Itawamba

Away

Sept. 26

Red Bay

Away

Sept. 28

Colbert Heights*/Lynn

Home

Oct. 2

Lynn

Away

Oct. 3

Hackleburg

Away

Oct. 5

Tharptown/Mars Hill

Away

Oct. 7

Franklin Co. Tournament

Away

Oct. 9

Cherokee/Tharptown

Home

Oct. 12

Cherokee/Belgreen

Away

determination to improve makes me confident in our potential.”

Volleyball in Franklin County Red Bay Tigers and To All Area Teams…

Have A Great Season!

2023 Bobcats Volleyball Schedule Aug. 24

*Denotes area match

City of Red Bay A 203 4th Ave. SE Red Bay, AL 256-356-4473

www.cityofredbay.org