Baldwin County’s two defending volleyball champions head into the upcoming season in very different places.

One, the Class 3A Bayside Academy Lady Admirals, are arguably the favorite to win their 10th straight and 20th overall championship this season. Ann Schilling’s team returns all but one player from last year’s championship squad, losing just one senior to graduation.

Baldwin’s other volleyball defending champion has a slightly different story this season. The Central Christian School Saints return just one senior from last year’s NACA Division II National Championship team. Saints senior Courtney Rada said she knows the road back to a title will be tough, but that she is looking forward to being a leader for such a young team.

“We are looking forward to having a lot of fun,” Rada said. “This is going to be different. We are so used to everyone knowing what they are doing and knowing what position they are, and now everything is going to be switched up. It is going to be fun, and a lot of hard work, but I know we are ready for it.”

In the last three years the Saints have won two NACA championships and reached the Final Four three times.

Gulf Shores looks to continue success: The Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins, who reached the AHSAA Class 5A Final Four last season, look to continue their dominance in area play this season. The Dolphins have won three straight 5A, Area 2 championships and have been crowned area champs nine times since 1999. They have reached the AHSAA Elite 8 seven times, the Final Four twice and were the 2003 Class 4A runners-up.

Daphne, Robertsdale seek return trips to Elite 8: The Robertsdale Lady Golden Bears and Daphne Lady Trojans both reached the Class 6A Elite Eight last season, and they just happen to play in the same area. Daphne has reached the Elite Eight four straight years, while Robertsdale has made it three out of the last four seasons.