SAND ROCK -- The Sand Rock Lady Wildcats have had their share of trips to the Elite Eight in Pelham, claiming a spot in the Class 2A state tournament semifinals the past three years.

While that feat is an impressive one, the Lady Wildcats have yet to come away with a state championship. Their best trip was last season, as Sand Rock finished with a 37-7 record and earned a berth in the Class 2A Final Four.

This season, the Lady Wildcats return a lot of experience from last year’s squad. They lost only one senior, outside hitter Leanna Young, and are considered to be one of the favorites to earn that elusive state title.

“We have experience and all the ability we need, but we just have to get it clicking together,” seventh-year head coach Lisa Bates said. “This group’s potential this year totally lies in their hands.”

Expected to lead the way for the Lady Wildcats are seniors Chelsey Chambers and Lauren Bell. Chambers, a setter who played in the Alabama North-South All-Star game last month, posted 1,022 assists, 204 digs, 86 kills, 84 blocks and 38 aces last season. Bell, who plays the right side, led the Lady Wildcats in digs (431) and aces (105) last season. She also had 44 assists, 38 kills and 23 blocks.

Five juniors also return to the Lady Wildcats’ lineup, four of whom are outside hitters in Jennifer Campbell, Carrie Robertson, Gena Farmer and Kayla Mashburn.

Campbell collected a team-high 466 kills last season. She also came away with 261 digs, 46 blocks and 46 aces. Robertson posted 59 digs and 26 kills and Farmer had 97 digs.

Megan Battles, another junior gives the Lady Wildcats experience at the middle hitter position. She compiled 279 kills, 220 digs, 46 blocks and 45 aces last year.

Helping Battles in the middle are sophomores Karlie Anderson and Logan Smith. Anderson posted 61 digs, 60 kills, 47 blocks and 10 aces. Smith had 114 digs and 38 aces.

The Lady Wildcats begin their season August 23 at the Albertville Tournament. Their first home match is August 25 against Cherokee County at 4 p.m.

2008 Sand Rock Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 23 at Albertville Tournament TBA

Aug. 25 Cherokee County 4 p.m.

Aug. 26 at Westbrook Christian 4 p.m.

Aug. 28 Geraldine/Spring Garden 4 p.m.

Sept. 2 West End/Gaston 4 p.m.

Sept. 4 at White Plains 5 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Geraldine Tournament TBA

Sept. 9 at Pleasant Valley 5 p.m.

Sept. 16 at West End/DAR 4 p.m.

Sept. 18 Fyffe 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Wallace St. Tournament TBA

Sept. 22 Westbrook/Cedar Bluff 4 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Cherokee County 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Gaston 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Gadsden City Tournament TBA

Sept. 30 at Geraldine/Crossville 5 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Cherokee Co. Tournament TBA

Oct. 6 Ohatchee/Piedmont 4 p.m.

Oct. 7 Albertville/White Plains 4 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Spring Garden 4 p.m.

Oct. 13 Area Tournament TBA

Oct. 18 Regional Tournament TBA

Oct. 23 Sub-State TBA

Oct. 29-30 State Tournament (Pelham) TBA