Athens Bible’s volleyball team didn’t possess a wealth of experience to lean upon this season.
With just one senior — Claire Holt — the Trojans certainly weren’t expected to make a spirited run.
Ultimately, none of that background noise mattered.
The Class 1A Trojans (14-21) secured wins over No. 3 Meek and Marion County at last week’s North Super Regional to advance to the state tournament — Athens Bible faces off with No. 6 University Charter this Wednesday at noon — for the fifth time in 10 seasons under head coach EA Winland.
Three-time defending state champion and No. 1 Addison highlights a field that also includes No. 2 Spring Garden, No. 4 Faith Christian, Sumiton Christian, Sweet Water and Elba.
“Going into the summer, it was Claire’s goal,” Winland said. “She got put out by Meek last year and got to experience what it felt like to not get it and have to watch five seniors’ seasons end. She told the other girls what it was going to take. With her and just four juniors, we’re very young.
“But we’ve taken it one week at a time and we’ve had to grow through some tough things. We went into regionals as a dark horse, but these girls played super hard and earned it.”
Winland is not exactly a stranger to facing the myriad challenges presented at state tournament.
As a player, she helped guide the Trojans to the 1A title in 2009 — garnering MVP honors along the way — and a runner-up finish in 2010. In 2014, she became the youngest coach in AHSAA history to win a state title when she led Athens Bible to the top of the mountain in her first season.
Since then, the program has been to four state tournaments (2017, 2018, 2019, 2023) — finishing in the Final Four in 2017 and as state runner-up in 2018.
“It does help having done it as a player and coach,” Winland said. “I know how to kind of prep them for what’s to come. It’s loud and bright and not like a normal gym. We’ve talked about it. We piped in loud cheering when we were preparing for regionals so they would be used to it. They still have to experience it and it still might be a shock, but hopefully, they’ll get over it a little quicker, hit their stride and get in a groove. There are a lot of eyes on you.”
Despite that, the 2023 team is now looking to add another chapter to its story.
According to Winland, it started with her players working through a tough schedule and trusting the process laid out by her at the beginning of the season.
“This group has determination,” she said. “The only 1A teams we play are in our area. I look for the heavy hitters. A young team could not want to play that way, but they trusted me. I told them this would help prepare them. It’s not about having a winning record, it’s about preparing for the playoffs and being ready for those teams. Had we not done that, I don’t know if we’d be here.”
It helps having a talent like Holt, whose calming presence and resolve have been essential for the Trojans on and off the court.
She currently boasts 803 career kills and 318 career blocks, and Winland said she’s been a “pivotal key” for the team this season.
“We couldn’t have done it without her,” she said. “Her leadership skills … being the only senior can be hard. She’s been such a big player for us since her freshman year, but she really embraced a different role this year and was determined not to let this team take the easy road.
“I’m really proud of her. It’s been fun to watch her grow as a person and as a player. She’s put in so much work to help get this team to where we are.”
Juniors Brooke Blakely (143 kills and 43 blocks) and Anna Beth Burns (426 set assists) have been steady presences throughout the 2023 season as well.
Jill Piwowarski, Bailey Griffen, Allie McElyea, Emily Burrell, Lilly Burrell, Allie Lovell, Desbny Burns, Marysa Gentry, James Rouillier, Kensley Gunnels and Ann Tyler Pressnell round out the roster.