PREP VOLLEYBALL: Hooper playing a different game this year; Trinity posts win

Ellie Pugh goes for a kill in a recent Hooper Academy game. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

HOPE HULL -- Hooper Academy’s volleyball team has a different mindset these days.

Grace Seale has a lot to do with that. The sixth-year starter, who stepped in as a starter at middle blocker as a seventh grader in 2019, remembers a Colt team that wasn’t considered a championship contender. Six years later, after playing for the AISA Class AAA title in 2022 and winning it in 2023, the Colts have higher standards.

 “I like that all the hard work we put in is finally starting to pay off and work out for us,” she said. “It does feel like (other schools now target Hooper) but I like to use it in a good way. Instead of being scared of not reaching the expectations that we had from last year, go ahead and beat that expectation.”

Seale is one of four returning starters from last year’s state championship team, along with setter Libby Bressler, outside hitter Henlee Garvin and libero KG Taylor. The Colts remain one of the teams to beat in the Alabama Independent School Association, but there are some holes to fill from last year’s squad that went 23-4 and beat Glenwood in the finals.

“It’s changing up a couple of positions and finding the exact rotation that is best for this team,” Hooper coach Jessi Hayes said. “A couple of them could have played multiple positions, but after working on the rotation, I just have to do what’s best for this team. But these girls, no matter what position you put them in, they’re going to give you 100 percent. They want to win.”

The Colts aren’t rebuilding, Seale noted, just adjusting.

“The starters from last year, we all kept the same mindset and play really well together,” she said, “but it’s just adjusting to a few of the new people and their playing style, trying to learn it so we can be the best team we can be.”

A lot of their success can be traced to Seale, who moved from the middle to outside hitter as a sophomore. Hayes considers Seale, who is closing in on 1,500 career kills, as “the best that’s ever come through here.”

“She can play anywhere,” Hayes said. “She can be a setter, but she’s also a very good leader and a very good captain, off the court and on the court. In the classroom, she’s a great student and a lot of the younger girls look up to her. They want to learn from her. She’s a great person. She’s very special.”

Seale acknowledges her status as a role model for the younger players on the team, which isn’t surprising considering her six years as a starter.

“I’d like to think that I need to be the best that I can to serve as a role model and set a goal for the younger kids to look up to,” she said. “Just so the school can be better as a volleyball program.”

She has offers to continue her playing career in college, but not as many as you might expect considering her statistics and her role as the leader of a championship program.

“It’s slow, but that’s just from being from a small school,” Seale said. “It’s hard to get that attention.”

Hooper (7-0) remained unbeaten after rolling past Restoration Academy on Monday, 25-1, 25-8 and 25-3. The Colts have a tougher test on Tuesday afternoon against Lowndes Academy.

“Of course, our mindset is winning (a championship) again,” Seale said. “I think it’s just keeping that standard up and don’t let up in the middle of the season. Last year, toward the end of the season we let up some and lost a few games we shouldn’t have. I think our mindset this year is not letting up and staying 100 percent the whole season.” 

Trinity 3, Pike Road 0

The Wildcats won their 2024 home opener, sweeping the Patriots 25-12, 25-21 and 25-20 at Captain Jack Court on Monday night.

Holland Williams had 10 kills, two aces and five blocks to lead the Wildcats, while Lizzie Causey had eight kills, five aces, a block and eight digs. Anna Moore had five kills and 12 digs, Bearden Ellis had a pair of aces and nine digs, Lilly Smith had 11 digs and Ellie Causey had 25 assists and eight digs.

Trinity (5-2) opens 5A Area 6 play at home against Marbury on Tuesday, then travels to St. James for an area game on Thursday.