The gymnasium walls occupy a special place in Bayside Academy volleyball history.
There’s a photo of every state championship team, 24 in all, including the past 14 in a row, hanging along the walls. The recent photos are large color shots, but some are black and white and some are smaller, especially the older photos.
The line of photos extends more than halfway around the gym.
Senior Lauren Chastang appears in four of the photos. Rated No. 1 on the AL.com A-List of senior players, Chastang is looking for one more photo on the wall.
“Even people that I’ve met at my church that used to pay for Bayside, they’re married and have kids and they’re on the wall,” Chastang said. “Everyone that I’ve met has been part of a championship.”
Chastang and Ariel Dulaney are the top two players on the A-List, but Dulaney will miss the start of the season after being injured in an auto accident.
Chastang and Dulaney have played together since fifth grade. The two 6-footers combined for 826 kills and 653 digs last season. Middle hitter Dulaney accounted for 338 kills with 305 digs and 35 blocks.
Those numbers and her leadership will be missed to start the season.
“This is not something new for our team, losing a player because of an injury,” Chastang said. “We’ve grown up a lot in the last two years and through past injuries we’ve learned how to overcome adversity.
“I hate that Ariel can’t play, but in the long run it helps us out. Everyone has to play better, get stronger and make up for the huge player that was lost.”
Chastang comes from an athletic family. Mom Kristye was a state champion in volleyball and basketball at Sumter Academy, and played volleyball at Alabama. Dad Pelham quarterbacked Escambia Academy and was headed to play for Auburn before a shoulder injury.
Chastang’s older brother Austin earned a baseball scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana as a freshman this season.
Outside hitter Chastang led the Admirals in kills last season with 488, adding 348 digs and 46 aces. She’s an aggressive net player who earned a spot in the playing rotation as an eighth-grader.
“Lauren was special from the get-go,” said Bayside coach Ann Schilling. “She had that drive and wanted to be good at an early age.
“She works hard and is so physical at the net, probably the most physical player I ever coached. When she hits the ball people take notice. She’s very likeable and a team player and a team kid, and that helps. She’s a coach’s dream.”
AL.com Volleyball A-List
1. Lauren Chastang, Bayside Academy, 6-0, OH
College: Kennesaw State
2. Ariel Dulaney, Bayside Academy, 6-0, OH/MH
College: UMass Lowell
3. Carley Hamric, Spanish Fort, 6-1, MH
College: Mobile
4. Hannah Harris, Providence Christian, 6-0, OH
College: South Alabama
5. Kayla White, Montgomery Academy, 5-9, OH
College: Metropolitan State University (Denver)
6. Olivia Portera, Hoover, 5-3, Libero
College: Jacksonville State
7. Bentley Odom, Murphy, 6-4, OH/MH
College: Troy
8. Megan Zuck, Hartselle, 5-10, OH
College: Undecided
9. Sofia Bruno, McGill-Toolen, 5-6, Libero
College: Undecided
10. Emmy Kilgore, Mountain Brook, 5-11, OH
College: Undecided
Next 10
Sabrina Duncan, Huntsville
Kyra Hunter, Hoover
Kirsten Carter, McGill-Toolen
Morgan Adamson, John Carroll
Shelby Holderfield, Grissom
Hannah Barrett, Huntsville
Natalie Omtvedt, Daphne
Brooke Sanford, Hazel Green
Halee Thomas, Brooks
Savannah Lee, Spanish Fort
Players to Watch (A-Z)
Gabrielle Bili, Hartselle
Abby Brooks, Madison Academy
Katie Brown, Donoho
Manon Burris, Vestavia Hills
Parker Canada, St. Paul’s
Briana Chappell, Tuscaloosa County
Sara Chappell, Tuscaloosa County
Hannah Dailey, St. James
Caroline Davies, Mountain Brook
Hayden Hanserd, Hartselle
La'Cherrie Harris, Clay-Chalkville
Mary Catherine Hart, John Carroll
Morgan Kyles, Enterprise
Lauren Martin, Albertville
Makenzie McLendon, Baker
Karlee Moss, Spain Park
Lexie Riggins, Chelsea
Hannah Rue, Muscle Shoals
Julia Shoemake, Randolph
Jacoby Sims, Oak Mountain
Reagan Stallings, Jacksonville
Cassini Steele, Jemison
Nora Webster, Hoover
Alex Wiggins, Enterprise
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