DAPHNE — This week the Bayside Lady Admirals will attempt to go where no one — not even the seven-time defending state champion Lady Admirals— have gone before. Of course, they have done it before when they were six-time defending champs. But can they do it again?

Last year, Bayside won its seventh-straight state volleyball championship, something no other school has ever done in the history of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. A poster in the gym states it simply: Eight will be great.

Bayside coach Ann Schilling said every Bayside team works each year to get to the state tournament at Pelham and the pressure to get there and win it is simply part of the effort.

"We just want each team to do well," she said. "I guess the seniors might be a little more anxious than the rest, but it's always a team effort. We play a tough schedule and try to get ready for the post season as best we can. I'm proud of this team. It's a young bunch, but they have all stepped up. We're playing like a team right now and that's what you want."

Bayside completed the final stage of their return trip to the Pelham Civic Center last week with a sub-state sweep over Dadeville.

Wednesday, ranked No 1 and 47-17 overall, they will open the Elite Eight 3A state volleyball tournament at 2 p.m. against No. eight ranked Pleasant Valley and hope to advance to the semifinals and then to the championship on Thursday.

"This is the best time of year," Schilling said. "It's always fun to go up there. We just have to stay focused from here on out."

Bayside has 17 state volleyball crowns to date, 14 under Schilling who won her 1003rd career match in the sub-state sweep.