PELHAM, Ala.,—It's official. It may be said out loud: "They are great." Bayside Academy's volleyball team of 2011 met the challenge of extending the school's state-championship streak into double-digit land (10 consecutive titles), became the sole-owner of the all-time state championship record (20) and has now won more matches (63) in a season than any other team in school history. But basically, they accomplished all of the above by focusing on one goal: win the 3A state title. So they did.

The Lady Admirals did all that Thursday with a 3-0 win over Montgomery Academy (34-11) in the 3A state championship match at the Pelham Civic Complex. The Eagles challenged the nine-time defending state champs in the first game, but the Admirals responded to make it a sweep, 25-23, 25-18, 25-12. Turning negative pressure into positive power is almost a game plan for this team and has become a Bayside trademark under head coach Ann Schilling the last 20 years.

“We've been performing at a high level this season, especially the second half," she said. "But these kids perform under extreme pressure year after year after year with a major target on their backs. And they know, we all know, (that) nobody wants to be that first team to go down. And that's the bottom line. But it's also a result of real work on their part. They work extremely hard and make a lot of sacrifices for the program and it pays off in the end. So I'm extremely proud of them.”

B.A. led 18-12 in the first game when M.A. made a gallant run and took the lead 21-20. But a kill by Gabby Deshotel to tie and a service ace by Jhalen Caffey put the Ads back in front 22-21. An Eagle error and back-to-back kills by Virginia Pittman assisted by Sydney Chandler put game one away.

"I knew we're a better passing team than we showed in the first game and then they came around," Schilling said. "I knew they would. I'm just glad it was the first game and not the third." A week before the championship match, Schilling said it was still too early to talk about records and greatness. "If they can stay focused on the main goal, which is to win the state championship, then we can talk about how great they are," she said Oct. 20. After the tournament final she said, "Now we can talk."

Chandler, the Lady Ads' sophomore setter was named the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament. The three-year letterman said she was surprised to get the award. "I thought Virginia or Gabby would be getting it, because they have a lot to do with whoever gets it," she said. "They make me look good. They're great hitters and fun to set to because they are so aggressive at the net. They take care of me out there and Victoria (Smith) makes my job a lot easier too, getting the ball to me with great passes. She's amazing back there (as the defensive and passing specialist) and also we have great hitters too with Morgan Dulaney who's back this year and Jhalen Caffey who I can go to. I'm lucky to get to play with them, but I'm going to miss Victoria so much because she's graduating."

Smith, the only senior, was tearful as her high-school playing days came to a close. "My whole team is amazing and I'm going to miss them all so much. But if it had to end, this is better than any other way," she said. "I'm so glad I got to play with them and for Schilling and be a part of this. I just love this sport and these girls so much. I would love to keep playing somewhere and still be able to do what I want (academically) but, I don't know. I'm going to go visit a few places that are interested in me and practice with some teams, but, we'll see."

Both juniors, Deshotel and Pittman scored 11 kills each and were named to the all-tournament team along with Chandler who assisted on 36 points. Smith came up with 40 digs.

Pittman, who was named to the all-state team for the third-straight year and had 3 blocks and 3 aces said the idea of not repeating creates extra pressure in addition to simply trying to outplay the other team. “It’s a little scary to think about, but it's a lot of pressure. A lot. But it’s also a good thing, I think, because it brings us together so we can go get it done. Sydney did a great job out there today. She so deserves to be the MVP.”

Deshotel, who was the MVP last year and added a pair of blocks, agreed adding the 2011 team has a special bond. "We love the pressure. It's kind of like we need it. I don't know. I think also, like this year, we just have so much confidence in each other, too. I know Syd's going to put the ball right where I want it. It's like we know each other so well. It's just really special."

It's also simply the most recent chapter of an unprecedented performance in athletics said Alabama High School Athletic Director Steve Savarese about the streak.

"It's certainly unprecedented in our state," he said. "Ann Schilling is an amazing coach and what they are doing is amazing and exciting. She was recognized at the national level last year. We think she's a shoe-in for the (coaches) Hall of Fame. The program at Bayside Academy is a model for all programs in the state, we're just so proud she's here."

The full 3A All-Tournament team included Montgomery Academy's Layne Doctson and Sarah Paige Massey; Danville's Sydni Shelton and Randolph's Emily Dang as well as Chandler (MVP), Deshotel and Pittman.

The full slate of B.A. players making the Elite Eight trip were: Rebecca Todd, Lauren Chastang, Brittany Houseman, Abby Giles, Harper Morrison and Madison Matthews. Caffey added 8 kills, Dulaney 9 kills with 3 aces and 2 blocks in the final.

The Admirals, whose average grade level is 10.1 advanced to the Class 3A volleyball state championship match with a 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 win over Randolph in the semifinals Wednesday night.. Bayside advanced to the Final Four with a 3-0 sweep over Madison Academy earlier Wednesday.

The previous season win record of 62 was set in 2002 when the current 10-title streak started. Schilling's niece Ann Ledford was a member of that team which only lost 5 matches.

Schilling has earned 17 of the 20 Bayside state titles as head coach, her first in 1992, and has collected 1,125 victories as a head coach. The first AHSAA volleyball title was won by Bayside in 1981 when now assistant coach Brenda Sirmon Allen was an all-state-tournament player for the Bayside team. Schilling is also assisted by Monique Adams and Lou Ledford. Adams, Ledford and Schilling all played at McGill-Toolen Catholic and each contributed to the 19 all-time titles held by the Dirty Dozen. "It's nice to be a part of a record and fun to set records," Schilling admits. But passing her alma mater in the all-time title category is a special one. "It's something special to me. It's something in my mind I wanted us to do."