Spring Garden’s 2000 season began with a shared commitment in early August and ended with an Elite Eight state tournament appearance last November, with the Lady Panthers advancing to the quarterfinal round.

Prior to their Pelham trip, the Garden girls won the Area 9 title against Cedar Bluff, then traveled to Bril-liant and defeated Marion County, Collinsville, Brilliant and county neighbor Lady Tigers to capture the Class 1A, Region C Tournament.

“On the first day of practice last year, each girl made it a goal to reach the state tournament,” said head coach Ricky Austin. “This year, our team goal is not just return to the states for a third straight year, but to be a factor in the tournament. This team can accomplish as much if they jell as a unit.”

All-County blocker Talisha Abernathy and All-County setter Robin Moon graduated in May, and Austin notes that the team as a whole must step up to fill the above void.

“I’ve been here six years, and this is the first year that all nine players will play an important role in winning a match,” notes Austin.

The Lady Panther faithful need not be anxious about who will provide clutch kills and blocks, since said po-sition is filled by All-County sophomore Latrisha Aber-nathy (5’10½), who led the team in the above categories last season.

“Latrisha has gotten stronger since last season,” said Austin. “She’s a solid, all-around volleyball player, and we’re building our team around her.”

The other returning starters are 5’9 senior hitters Kim Rochester and Erin Robertson, from whom Aus-tin expects important leadership and defensive play.

The top new starters include 5’9 setter Lauren Hudson, who was Moon’s understudy for much of last season.

“Lauren did a good job when she played last year,” said Austin. “Her height at setter will help us defend better than we have in the past. She should be our best setter. She’s a hard worker, and we’re looking for her to step up and be a senior leader.”

Senior Kelly Wilson and freshman Mikie Garner are also counted on to provide consistent play from the hitter position.

“Kelly makes a good hitting corps that much better,” said Austin, “and Mikie is young but very exciting to watch. She has the potential to put us up to another level.

“Having a team that is nine players deep is certainly going to help us as the season progresses. Eeveryone will have to play well in order for us to be successful.”

The Cedar Bluff 2000 volleyball squad’s nickname should have been “The Comeback Kids.”

Despite losing a number of players during the course of last season, the Lady Tigers made the Elite Eight at the state tournament in Pelham last November. The Bluff lost to eventual Class 1A champion Speake in the quarterfinal round.

Morgan Davis, Summer McWhorter, Kathy Brown, Rachael Dobbins, Melissa Crane and Alicia Irons formed the core of the 2000 team. Davis finished the 2000 season with 494 kills, while McWhorter had 353. Brown had 345 assists, while Dobbins had 141.

The good news in Tigerland is that the entire 2000 roster returns, including All-County members Brown, Davis and McWhorter.

Cedar Bluff also has a new head coach in Michael Ray, who is also the boys track and field coach.

“We’re fortunate to have so many returning veterans who went to the state tournament. We’ve added some new faces, and we’re planning on going a little further this season.”

April Young joins the Lady Tigers as assistant coach of both the Lady Tiger varsity and junior varsity squads. Over the past few years, Young has helped Jon Moseley mold the successful CCHS volleyball squad.

“We’re fortunate to have a coach as experienced as April,” notes Ray. “She comes from a winning program, and will help our players a great deal.