Pressure is on as Edgewood Academy targets fourth consecutive title

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

When the Edgewood Academy volleyball team hits the court on August 20, the target painted on their backs will be bigger than ever.

Edgewood Academy has won the AISA Class AA Volleyball State Championship each of the last three seasons, and they enter the 2022 season aiming for their fourth title in a row.

And with Edgewood losing two very talented seniors, including their All-County setter from the 2021 season, the pressure to continue to win is higher than ever.

“I think it’s hard to continue to repeat,” head coach David DeLozier said. “I think that pressure naturally builds because everyone expects you to win regardless of the roster you have. The players know it, the parents know it, and the other schools know it. It’s kind of the elephant in the room, so to speak. But we know what it takes to get there. Just because the pressure is higher, we’re still going to work towards that goal with a new roster.”

DeLozier is entering his third season as the head coach of the Wildcats, and he has done nothing but win since he’s been at Edgewood Academy.

He isn’t the only one, however. Every one of the 13 girls on the Edgewood Academy team has won the state championship since at least their freshman year, so all they know is winning.

Despite the continuing winning, DeLozier hasn’t seen the team’s intensity or will to win dwindle in any way.

“The hardest thing you run into the most with a team that continues to win is finding ways to motivate yourself to keep getting better,” DeLozier said. “Winning is great, but sometimes you settle and the negative part of winning is that you think you’re good enough. For me as a coach, I have to find ways to still motivate them and find goals to aspire to that aren’t just winning state so that we can be the best on and off the court. I feel like that’s helped us stay focused on the big goal while also improving in other areas.”

While the team did lose two very talented seniors last year, the team returns a plethora of talent to the court. Lindsey Brown, who has picked up multiple college offers over

Winchester

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ple is that win is in my last name,” Winchester said. “I plan on turning the program around at Wetumpka. Honestly, I plan on winning it all this year.”

To try and win it all, Winchester will try and incorporate a mixture of the offense she ran as a player at Troy and the offense she helped coach at Faulkner.

4Aug. 20 – at Glenwood Varsity Tournament

4Aug. 23 – at Glenwood

4Aug. 25 – at Lee Scott

4Aug. 30 – LAKESIDE

4Sept. 1 – at Lowndes

4Sept. 8 – ABBEVILLE

4Sept. 13 – MACON EAST

4Sept. 15 – at Lakeside

4Sept. 16/17 – at Florida USA VB Challenge

4Sept. 19 – LOWNDES

4Sept. 20 – MORGAN

4Sept. 26 – at Abbeville

4Sept. 27 – ESCAMBIA

4Sept. 29 – GLENWOOD

4Oct. 1 – EDGEWOOD VARSITY TOURNAMENT

4Oct. 3 – at Chambers

4Oct. 4 – LEE SCOTT

4Oct. 11 – at Macon East

4Oct. 13 – CHAMBERS

4Oct. 18 – Regional Tournament

4Oct. 20 – Regional Semifinals/Championship Tournament

4Oct. 25 – Elite 8/Final 4

4Oct. 26 – State Championship

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS the offseason, returns for her junior year.

She had a stellar sophomore season with 267 kills, 302 digs and 62 service aces.

Avery White, now a sophomore, will play a bigger role all over the court while Karlee Mainor, a staple in the lineup the last few years, returns and will patrol the middle of the court.

Up front will be the tall Madison Martin, who earned All-County honors last season after dominating at the net. Martin, who stands over 6-foot-tall, poses a huge problem for other teams across the net.

She really affects the way other teams play us,” DeLozi-

At Troy, the Trojans emphasized that every player could control and handle the ball, and every player could dribble the ball down the court at a fast pace. Faulkner didn’t focus so much on speed and handling, but ran a dynamic offense that focused around getting great shooters open on every offensive possession.

With the shooters and point guard that Wetumpka returns, Winchester believes they can mix both play styles into a dynamic

And when the the team wins the state championship, she’s the first person to the trophy and the one taking charge with celebratory selfies.

For some, it may get exhausting being the energizer. But for Brown, she’s grown up with that personality and will continue to play in that role.

“I’ve kind of grown up being this crazy, energetic person and I’ve grown into this role of just helping others and lead by example,” Brown said. “I always have energy and when someone is upset, I look to help them first. I feel like that’s been my role my whole life.”

She will continue that role this season with the Wildcats, while she also takes on a more dominating role. Brown had a stellar sophomore season last year for Edgewood as she racked up 267 kills, 302 digs, and 62 service aces en route to a championship and All-County honors.

She’s gotten even better this summer as she’s traveled across the entire southeast to and stellar offense.

“When we first jump into it, my main focus will be to make sure everybody on the team is a threat,” Winchester said. “I’m going to pull that from Troy and make sure everybody can handle the ball and get up and down the court fast as well as playing excellent defense. … I hope to bring that Troy’s sale of play and Faulkner’s style of play and combine that with Wetumpka’s players.” visit various camps from colleges. In the process, she’s picked up numerous Division I offers and put herself on the map for future offers from premier programs.

She’s camped at Florida, Auburn, Alabama and others.

Edgewood has also hosted a team camp this summer where they invited Ruth Nelson, a former volleyball coach who coached at George Williams College, Houston, LSU and Iowa. She has over 500 college wins in her career.

While she gets older, stronger, and faster entering her junior year, she’s taken the time to learn the game more, and she believes that will pay off this season.

“This summer was really a progressive summer for me,” Brown said. “I came out of last school season already knowing that I wanted to play in college so I wanted to push my mental aspect of my game and get my IQ higher this year. I feel like I got a lot of out of going to all of these college camps and I think coming out of the summer, I am 10x more prepared than I was entering the summer.” er said of Martin. “If they have a strong middle or have a strong offense in the middle of the court, it’s kind of negated or almost offset because of Madison’s presence. It definitely makes our defense easier to play around because we have height at the net. We are a little bit bigger in terms of height across the net this year, so that’s helpful with our defense. we are still good defensively, but it’ll help out having size.” you feel emboldened and condent, which is why you’ll be clearcut in your relations with other countries or different cultures. Tonight: You are noticed.

Edgewood’s season starts on August 20 in the Glenwood varsity tournament. The team’s first home game will be on August 20 against Lakeside Academy.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22)

You might attract someone to you today who is aggressive or emphatic about what they want. Don’t volunteer for anything or agree to anything important during the Moon Alert. Be ready to stand up for yourself and defend your best interests. Tonight: Check paperwork.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

You will be clear about what you want when dealing with co-workers today. Likewise, this same sharp focus will be there if you’re dealing with your own health issues or something to do with a pet. However, there is a Moon Alert this morning. Do be aware of this before making decisions. Tonight: Cooperate.

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Today you have a lot of energy to lend to work that is related to the entertainment world, the hospitality industry or anything to do with the arts. Likewise, you will have high energy when dealing with children. Refrain from important agreements or volunteering for anything

Horoscope

during the Moon Alert. Tonight: Work. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Family discussions might include shared property, debt and inheritances today. Very likely, these discussions will be lively and focused. Nevertheless, agree to nothing important during the Moon Alert. You can rely on your own research. Tonight: Play! SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

A discussion with a partner or close friend will be feisty and in your face today. Of course, this is nothing you can’t handle. Nevertheless, don’t waste energy arguing during the Moon Alert, because that’s a poor time to agree to anything. Wait until the alert is over before the dust settles. Tonight: Cocoon.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

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