By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Photos by Scott Nickerson and Edgewood Academy
The Edgewood Academy girls’ volleyball team defeated Lowndes Academy on Tuesday afternoon in the Alabama Independent School Association Class 2A Championship game at the Cramton Bowl Multi-Plex in Montgomery. The Wildcats won 25-19, 25-11, and 25-18 to claim the 2023 title. The volleyball championship is the school’s 5th volleyball title in a row. They have won the AISA 2A Championship in 7 of the last 8 seasons.
Edgewood Academy Volleyball Head Coach Brad Starks said “This is my first state championship as a head coach and it’s just been an unbelievable season. This group was truly special on and off the court and it was the best feeling in the world to watch them smile as they held that trophy, knowing their hard work and dedication had paid off.”
Lowndes Academy started the first set hot and went up 5-2. They battled point for point and held a 13-12 lead over the Wildcats, before the defending champs went on a run and took the first set 25-19.
Edgewood jumped out quick in the second set and led by scores of 8-4 and 13-5 before comfortably taking the second set by a score of 25-11.
The third set would prove to be the toughest for Edgewood, at least initially. Lowndes again started the set hot and maintained a lead that eventually got to 16-11 but Coach Brad Starks called a timeout. Out of the break, Senior Madison Martin sparked her team with two consecutive kills to cut into the lead. The Wildcats battled back to tie the score on an ace from Senior Lindsey Brown, and quickly took their first lead of the third set at 18-17. From that point, Edgewood never looked back, and rolled to a 25-18 win in the third set.
Brown, who will play volleyball for the University of Alabama next season, was named to the AISA Class 2A All-Tournament Team, as was Martin and junior Avery White.
The win completed a dominant Edgewood run through the AISA 2A playoffs. The Wildcats defeated Pickens in the Elite 8 25-16, 25-13, and 25-6. In the Final Four, Edgewood defeated Macon-East 25-10, 25-22, and 25-15.
