AL.com today begins its list of top high school volleyball teams and players in AISA and each of the seven AHSAA classes.

State champions and traditional powers are prominent among the elite of each class with familiar programs dominating.

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

See who the AL.com sports staff picked as the top contenders in AHSAA Class 1A and AISA.

CLASS 1A

Championship contenders

Spring Garden has won the past two state championships and reached the semifinal in 2022 along with Class 2A semifinal appearances in 2019 and 2020. The Panthers lost Class 1A Player of the Year Ace Austin to Alabama basketball, but coach Ricky Austin always puts a great team on the floor.

Addison is the king of small-school volleyball, winning 14 championships in either Class 1A or Class 2A and won its last title in 2022. Expect the Bulldogs to make another strong run for the title.

University Charter has advanced to the Elite 8 each of the past three years since playing its first varsity season in 2020. The Trailblazers won to the title match each of the past two seasons and earned their first Elite 8 appearance in 2022.

Teams to watch (A-Z)

Athens Bible

Brantley

Cullman Christian

Faith Christian

Hackleburg

Ider

Kinston

Lynn

Meek

Players to watch

Ava Bartlett, Addison, Jr., Middle

Avery Brunson, Brantley, Sr., Middle

Lola Dixon, University Charter, Jr., Setter/RS

Madelyn Egbert, University Charter, Jr., Libero

Alex Grimes, Brantley, Jr., Middle

Montana Highfield, Spring Garden, Sr., Middle

Mattie Johnson, Addison, Sr., Middle

Aubrey Kelley, Spring Garden, So., OH

Marley Kilcrease, Brantley, Jr., Setter

Jaden McGee, Maplesville, Sr., OH

Emory Pezent, University Charter, Sr., Setter/RS

Annabeth Powell, Addison, So., OH

Gracie Rhoades, Kinston, Jr., OH

Addie Smith, Spring Garden, So., Setter

Allyx Williamson, Kinston, Jr., OH

Maddie Williamson, Kinston, Sr., Middle

Tishona Young, Sweet Water, Sr., OH

AISA

Championship contenders

Macon East (A)

Coosa Valley (A)

Edgewood (AA)

Clarke Prep (AA)

Hooper (AA)

Teams to watch (A-Z)

Class A

Abbeville Christian

South Choctaw

Class AA

Fort Dale

Lowndes

Morgan Academy

Southern Academy

Players to watch

Emily Aeschliman, Fort Dale, Sr., DS

Baylie Barrett, Edgewood, Jr., OH

Libby Bressler, Hooper, Sr., Setter

Henlee Garvin, Hooper, Sr., OH/Middle

Bentley Graham, Macon East, So., RS

Ceilla Gregory, Fort Dale, Sr., Middle

Amelia Hall, Fort Dale, Jr., Libero

Katelyn Keef, Cornerstone Christian, Sr., OH

AC Kelley, Edgewood, Sr., Middle

Emma Paul, Clarke Prep, Sr., OH

Bella Phillips, Cornerstone Christian, Sr., DS

Jamya Powell, Macon East, Sr., OH/Middle

Mollie Ross, Macon East, Sr., OH

Maggie Taylor, Clarke Prep, Sr., Setter/Libero

Kinsley Shipp, Fort Dale, Sr., OH

Brittany Stockman, Clarke Prep, Jr., Middle