The list of top state’s high school volleyball teams and players continues with AHSAA Class 3A.

Four different teams have won the Class 3A championship in the past four years, the last repeat champion coming in 2020 and 2021 with Trinity.

Volleyball practice starts on Aug. 4 and the first matches will be played on Aug. 21.

See who the AL.com sports staff picks as the top contenders and highlighted players in Class 3A.

Championship contenders

Mobile Christian earned its first volleyball title last season, beating Ohatchee for the championship in its third straight trip to the Elite 8 that also included a loss in the 2023 title match. The Leopards lost class Player of the Year Melaina Haines, who moved out of state, but reigning class Defensive MVP Melissa Patel returns along with all-staters Haley Eldridge at setter and Hadley Kelly in the middle.

Lauderdale County won to its second Elite 8 last season and returns two of its top three front row attackers (all-state Sunjia King-Davis and Hannah Grace Belue) along with all-state Libero Adeline Dickerson.

St. Luke’s won its only two volleyball titles in 2016 and 2017 and the Wildcats have reached at least the semifinal round in each of the four previous appearances since, including three straight. All-state players Ameilia Smith on the front and setter Baker Garside lead.

Ohatchee is coming off a championship appearance and always features an athletic group with this season proving no different. Ohatchee expects to challenge with a lineup that features all-state setter/right side Alanah Fitch.

Teams to watch (A-Z)

Donoho

Geraldine

Glencoe

Glenwood

Houston Academy

Lee-Scott

Northside Methodist

T.R. Miller

Westbrook Christian

Vinemont

Players to watch (A-Z)

Shannon Alvord, Northside Methodist, Jr., OH

Karlie Baker, Geraldine, Jr., OH

Hannah Grace Belue, Lauderdale County, Jr., OH

Na’Kiya Bothwell, Piedmont, Fr., OH

Cassie Burns, Geraldine, Sr., DS

Sarah Chambless, Geraldine, Jr., Middle

Adeline Dickerson, Lauderdale County, Sr., Libero

Rorie Dunbar, Glenwood, Jr., Setter/RS

Avery Dunnam, Lee-Scott, Sr., Middle

Haley Eldridge, Mobile Christian, Sr., Setter

Alanah Fitch, Ohatchee, Sr., Setter/RS

Makenzie Foy, Northside Methodist, Jr., Libero

Emma Kate Frazier, St. Luke’s, Fr., Libero

Baker Garside, St. Luke’s, Sr., Setter

Millie Gay, Houston Academy, Jr., Middle

Olivia Gibson, Lee-Scott, Jr., Middle

Addi Hammontree, Westbrook Christian, Jr., Middle

Hadley Kelly, Mobile Christian, Jr., Middle

Libby King, Westbrook Christian, Jr., OH

Sunjia King-Davis, Lauderdale County, Sr., Middle/OH

Alana Maldonado Maysonet, Donoho, Jr., OH/Middle

Maddie Moody, Glenwood, Sr., OH

Mary Claire Morgan, Northside Methodist, Sr., Middle

Raylee Neal, Westbrook Christian, Sr., Setter

Emery Owens, Lauderdale County, Sr., RS

Bentlee Pahman, Donoho, Jr., Libero

Melissa Patel, Mobile Christian, Sr., Libero

Emma Proctor, Piedmont, Jr., RS/Middle

Emily Riddle, Ohatchee, Sr., Middle

Lana Rowell, Geraldine, Sr., DS

Molly Rutland, Houston Academy, Sr., Setter

Leighton Scott, Lee-Scott, Sr., OH

Ann Davis Sinquefield, Houston Academy, Sr., OH

Amelia Smith, St. Luke’s, Sr., OH

Ellison Stewart, Westbrook Christian, Sr., OH

Callee Taylor, Donoho, Sr., Setter

Amiyah Thomas, Piedmont, Jr., OH

Ellie Tolbert, Piedmont, 8th, Middle

Lauren Watson, St. Luke’s, So., OH/DS/Setter

Emersyn White, Glenwood, Sr., Libero

Kate Williamon, Donoho, Sr., OH