SPANISH FORT — Just three seasons ago, a few sophomores, a few freshman and a middle-schooler or two stepped onto the brand new floor in the gym at Spanish Fort High.

They made history by reaching the Elite Eight state tournament at the 2A division in their first-ever-year of varsity play.

Enrollment bumped them up to 5A the next season where they had to compete with perennial powerhouses Gulf Shores and St. Paul’s, the eventual 5A state champion. The Lady Saints knocked off the Lady Toros at substate. But they are back without losing any players to graduation and Spanish Fort varsity volleyball coach Barclay Kercher says the team is hungry for another trip to Pelham, home of the state volleyball championships.

“Last season we were 35-12,” Kercher said. “We lost out to St. Paul's in the Region tournament; therefore, we did not make it to the state tournament.”

This year she’s expecting a lot from her corps of seniors, a team she says is like no other she has ever had.

“My Spanish Fort team is like no other volleyball team I have coached,:” she said. “They are self motivated, eager to work hard on and off the court daily and a pleasure to coach.

“I am expecting my setter, Leah Davis to take charge on the court. She is the spark plug of our team. I think our team feeds off of Haley Forrester and Felicia Smith. I am expecting these two to step up and be the terminators of the net.”

With support from her fourth senior Haley Pannone, Kercher said the 2007 season looks bright.

“We will have our first senior class. These four seniors have an abundance of leadership and a great desire to win. We will have to pick up the tempo of our game this season and play better defense.

“It will be a toss up for first place (In area play) with Gulf Shores. I feel as though we both have strong programs. As always, St. Paul's, the defending 5A state champs will be tough this season but we are ready. My team is ready to play anyone we face between the lines, they fear no one.”

Kercher added that the team determines the season’s goals and it’s obvious they are driven to get back to the state tournament.

“Goals are determined each season by the team,” she said. “We did not enjoy sitting at home last season after the regional tournament. Our goal this season is to make it to the Elite Eight, no excuses.”