By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CEDAR BLUFF – Deidra Cox may be Cedar Bluff’s new volleyball coach this season, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t familiar with the Lady Tiger program.

Cox was originally the volleyball coach of the Lady Tigers in 2016. The former Deidra Davis guided the team to a 21-23 record and a North Super Regional appearance in Huntsville.

After coaching five years in Foley and last year at Albertville, Cox returns to helm the Cedar Bluff volleyball program for a second time.

“It’s great to be back. I love this school, the community. It’s a family,” Cox said. “I feel like I’ve known most of the people from day one. They’ve known me since I was little. It just feels like home.”

Hired in late May, Cox said the Lady Tigers spent much of the summer getting to know her coaching style, which is fundamentally based.

“I’m a firm believer you can never do enough fundamentals,” Cox said. “We’ve just been fine-tuning a lot, progressing more and more, especially the older group. We are able to do some different things, some things that might be a little new to them that we’ve started implementing, but they’re picking up on them really quickly. Several of them have a higher volleyball IQ and that helps out a lot.

“Our summer was great. For most of these girls, this was the first summer they’ve had like this one. Most of our summer was spent on getting in shape, getting bigger, faster, stronger, building muscle in the weight room, working on speed, agility and quickness. We want to build our foundation from there. To go as far as we want in postseason we’ve got to be in top-notch shape. That’s what we were trying to strive for over the summer.”

Part of the Lady Tigers’ summer was a two-day team camp in Guntersville. Cox said the progression the Lady Tigers made in those two days was “great to see.” The Lady Tigers also had a couple of play dates where Cox meshed some of the younger girls with the older ones to help them grow.

“The future is really bright and that’s exciting,” she said. “I was able to see a lot of good things out of the summer.”

Cox said one of the focal points of the Lady Tiger attack is junior outside hitter Kindal Grace.

“We’re definitely going to use her abilities in all aspects,” Cox said. “She’s definitely going to play a major role for us. She’s a good leader out there for us. She’s vocal and leads by example.”

Cox also expects a lot from her seniors, outside hitter Lacie Roer and right side hitter Graceland Benton.

“They’re two of the best seniors I’ve ever been around,” Cox said. “They’re such good role models and examples to all the kids. They come in every day with a mindset to get better. That is exactly what you want out of seniors. They’re very vocal for us out there and have great leadership.”

Setting a lot of the Lady Tiger hitters is sophomore Rylie Walker. Walker accumulated 906 assists, 292 digs, 32 kills and 28 aces last season.

“She’s really coming along, getting more comfortable setting with all types of sets with her teammates,” Cox said of Walker.

Working the middle is junior Caley Bruce and sophomores Janaya Higgins and Anslee Evans. Junior Kaylyn Vadon will see time at libero. Junior Anna Henderson and sophomore Blakelea Hall are the Lady Tiger defensive specialists.

“We do have some very talented kids out there. They’re showing up every day to get better. They’re really buying into everything we’re doing,” Cox said.

Cedar Bluff competes in Class 1A, Area 12 along with Spring Garden, Gaylesville, Jacksonville Christian and Coosa Christian. The Lady Tigers open the 2023 season in Anniston at the Faith Christian Tournament on Aug. 26.

2023 Cedar Bluff Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 26                 at Faith Christian Tournament    TBA
Aug. 28                 Jacksonville Christian                  5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31                 at Piedmont w/ Jacksonville       6:30 p.m.
Sept. 5                  at Westbrook w/ Ohatchee         5 p.m.
Sept. 7                  Gaylesville                                       6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11                at Sand Rock w/ Douglas              5 p.m.
Sept. 12                at Coosa Christian                          6 p.m.
Sept. 14                Cherokee County                            5:30 p.m.
Sept. 18                Jacksonville Christian                    6 p.m.
Sept. 19                at Spring Garden w/ Faith Chr.   6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21                Coosa Christian/Piedmont           4:30 p.m.
Sept. 26                at Southside w/ Westbrook          5 p.m.
Sept. 28                at Gaylesville w/ Brindlee Mtn.   5 p.m.
Sept. 30                Cherokee Co. Tournament (SG)   TBA
Oct. 3                    Spring Garden                                   5:30 p.m.
Oct. 7                    at Glencoe Tournament                   TBA
Oct. 9                    Sand Rock/Southside                      4:30 p.m.
Oct. 12                  at Cherokee Co. w/ Hokes Bluff     5 p.m.