Photo by Erin Nelson.
Chelsea’s Mya Bernard (4) returns the ball during a match against Helena in September 2019 at Chelsea High School.
The 2019 season was a banner one for the Chelsea High School volleyball program.
The Hornets capped off a tremendous season by finally breaking through to the Class 6A state tournament, a place they had been so close to multiple times in head coach Jessica Pickett’s tenure.
Chelsea sent three of its four seniors off to play in college, with Zoe LaBreche (Jacksonville), Victoria Schmer (Alabama) and Sarah Moore (Bryan College) going to play at the next level. Bailey Drew McIntyre was a pivotal part of the team’s success as its setter as well.
“From top to bottom, that senior class was very strong,” Pickett said.
Despite losing four contributors of that magnitude, there are eight returners with varsity experience to soften the learning curve for the 2020 version of the Hornets.
“We’re not necessarily young, but as far as court experience, we’re going to be young,” Pickett said.
This season marks the senior campaigns for Hope Wright and Amaya Rudolph, two hitters who have been with the varsity program since their freshman days. While both have been able to rely on the leadership of the older ones, their laid-back personalities will be tasked with rallying the team this fall.
“This year is going to be different for them,” Pickett said. “They’re doing well with it.”
Sophomore Emma Pohlmann is a breakout candidate for Chelsea, as she will play as an outside hitter along with Wright.
“She’s been around it, and she knows what’s expected, and it’s been fun to watch her develop,” Pickett said.
Anna Sartin is a junior with big shoes to fill at the libero position after the graduation of Schmer. But Pickett seemed comfortable with her capability to slide into the role, since she has the talent and watched Schmer command the back row last year.
McIntyre ran the court as the lone setter last year, but the Hornets will roll with a pair of setters this season. Morgan Martin and Madison Moore will be tasked with getting the ball to the likes of Wright, Pohlmann and Rudolph.
“Them gelling together is going to be big for us,” Pickett said.
Mya Bernard is another familiar face returning for Chelsea, as she transferred to Chelsea prior to last school year and played as a middle blocker for the Hornets last fall. Rachel Moore and Landi Rutledge will also see time in the middle.
Rudolph primarily plays on the right side but can move over to the opposite side as a hitter when needed. If and when she is on the outside, Mackenzie Pierce and Addy Evans can play on the right side. Alexis Greene will help out Sartin on the back row as a defensive specialist.
Chelsea is playing in a new-look area this fall, one that will test the Hornets’ resolve and ability. Defending Class 7A champion Mountain Brook moved down to 6A in the latest round of reclassification, while Homewood and Briarwood are also in the area. Both Homewood and Briarwood advanced to the super regional tournament in 6A and 5A last year, respectively.
The tough area is nothing new for Chelsea, which has played teams including Pelham and Helena in recent years. It’s never been a given for the Hornets to make it out of the area tournament.
“The girls are up for the challenge,” Pickett said. “It’s not like you have to get them prepared for how serious area games are every night. It’s to our advantage the last several years we’ve been playing in a hard area.”
