DAPHNE — Surrounded by the four state championship trophies she helped bring back to Bayside Academy, Savannah Simmons signed Jan. 28. to play volleyball for Spring Hill College in the fall.

With SHC Badger coach Peggy Martin, her parents Willard and Teresa Simmons and Bayside coach Ann Schilling standing behind her, the twice-named 3A Most Valuable Player fulfilled her dream of playing at the next level.

"I'm really excited about playing for coach Martin at Spring Hill," she said. "It's a big step but I'm really excited about it."

Martin brings a winning reputation to SHC after leading Central Missouri for 32 years to become the most winning Division II coach of all time.

Having played for one of the most winning high school coaches in history with Schilling, Simmons, who had several other offers, said the Bayside tradition of winning championships has helped her prepare for the college game. "I'm looking forward to playing for coach Martin. She knows how to win and I hope I can be a big part of making that happen at Spring Hill. I owe so much to coach Schilling. She knows how to win and she really is a great coach."

Schilling has led the Lady Admirals to 17 of the school's 19 state volleyball titles. She thinks SHC is getting a great player who is just right for Martin's style of coaching.

"The combination of Peggy and Savannah will make a huge difference for Spring Hill," Schilling said. "Savannah has worked really hard to get here. I couldn't be more proud of her because she has worked on her game for the last four years to get herself stronger, faster. I'm happy because this is where she wanted to end up."

Simmons' being no stranger to winning and being very smart on the court as well as being a hard-hitting front-row player, Martin said, also meant the 5-foot-10 middle blocker would be crucial to rebuilding the Badgers program.

"I think we will keep her in the middle and build around her," Martin said. "I'm planning on being there for four years with Savannah to see where we can go with this program. If we don't get Savannah, I don't know where I'm looking next because I really feel like she was one of the top players in Mobile and in the state. If you know the history of Spring Hill volleyball, you understand how excited we are. To get a not only a great volleyball player, but a great young woman is a great building block."

Simmons, who plans to study history helped make some as well as she finished her senior season with 592 kills, 269 blocks, 101 aces and 534 digs and helped Schilling break the 1,000 career win mark as a coach. Simmons' 2010 also class helped establish and extend the Alabama state record for consecutive state titles which now sits at eight.

"I also want to thank my parents for all the support they have given to me," Simmons added. "As well as all my teachers and teammates and classmates here at Bayside."