Photo by Image Arts.
0714 MBHS Volleyball
After advancing further than any team in school history last season, Mountain Brook is looking to go even further in 2014.
With a finish in the Class 6A state semifinals, last year was the first time in school history the Mountain Brook Spartans volleyball team made it all the way to the Final Four, and the first time since 1997 that the team made it to the Elite Eight. Its season came to an end with a loss in five sets to 2012 state champion Huntsville, but with all but one player back, the Spartans could be poised to replicate their historic 2013 season.
Mountain Brook will have to replace Claire Gorman, who was the lone senior and a co-captain on the Spartans’ 2013 team. The Spartans, however, will return their remaining players, which gives reason for optimism that a return to the 2014 AHSAA Elite Eight at the Birmingham CrossPlex could be in the cards.
This season, senior Abby Garrett will once again lead the team in the front court as the middle blocker, while junior Sara Carr and senior Julia Smith will lead the team in the backcourt as the outside hitter and setter, respectively.
“If this 2014 roster can play selflessly and as a unit with no drama, we could potentially have an opportunity to be the first 7A state champions,” said Spartans coach Haven O’Quinn said, who is entering her third season as head coach.
Garret agreed: “We really want to use last [season] as a stepping stone.”
The turning point for the Spartans included coming together in a team meeting last season.
“We had some nagging injuries and what seemed to be a tired roster,” O’Quinn said. “I feel like once we got (players) healthy and back on the court at the Homewood Blalock Tournament, it was a fresh start. We had a team meeting and from then on played crazy.”
While team success ultimately is the measuring stick, Mountain Brook also had its fair share of individual awards and honors in 2013. Outside hitter Carr and setter Sara Chandler Mitchell and defensive specialist Smith were all named to the AL.com All-Metro team, while Garrett received honorable mention recognition.
Smith, who also took home All-Metro player of the year honors, will once again be a main leader for the Spartans.
“Julia Smith is a leader on and off the court,” O’Quinn said. “She leads by action and brings intensity.”
Mountain Brook’s 2014 season will begin in Orlando with the KSA Orlando Tournament that stretches from Aug. 27 to 31. The Spartans’ first home game will be Sept. 3 against Hoover, which also reached the Elite Eight last year. Other notable events this season include the area tournament at Spain Park, the “Rebel Rumble” at Vestavia, a road game at Hoover on Oct. 9 and Briarwood Christian at home on senior night on Oct. 14.
“A lot of teams that we’re going to be facing are going to be a challenge,” Smith said. “Most, if not all, of our matches could go either way.”
If the youthful Spartans team that reached the Final Four can learn from the experience, the schedule could include a return trip to the semifinals and perhaps beyond.
