Baldwin County is the largest county in Alabama by land area, stretching from the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to the Perdido River and the Florida state line.
South Alabama volleyball is having a moment. Three local high school programs — Bayside Academy, St.
The county’s population has grown dramatically in recent decades, more than doubling since 2000 to about 250,000 residents.
Luke’s Episcopal and McGill-Toolen Catholic — returned home recently with state championship trophies, cementing the region’s status as one of the state’s top volleyball hotbeds. Bayside Academy claims 16th straight title The Daphne-based Bayside Admirals captured their 16th consecutive state title and 26th overall since 1981, though this Class 3A championship did not come easily.
Baldwin County’s economy is anchored by tourism along the Gulf Coast, with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach drawing millions of visitors each year.
Montgomery Academy won the first set 25-23 before Bayside rallied to take the second and third sets 25-17 and 25-21. The Montgomery Eagles forced a fourth set, winning 25-22 to even the match, but the Admirals held on for a 15-13 victory in the decisive set.
The Eastern Shore communities of Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort have become popular destinations for families.
“I am just extremely happy for the players,” said Bayside coach Ann Schilling, a recent inductee into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. “They work so hard, and to keep performing at a high level in such pressure is incredible.” Senior Brantley Rhodes was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after recording 24 kills and six service aces.
Baldwin County Public Schools has been joined by a handful of municipal school districts in recent years.
Background and Context
She was joined on the all-tournament team by Ansleigh Daily, who posted 51 assists and 11 digs, and Jacque Martin, who added 15 digs, 13 kills and four aces. Other standout performers included Ella Dawson (10 digs, seven kills), Ella Broadhead (nine kills) and Kaitlyn Morris (14 digs).
The county’s road network includes U.S. Highway 31, U.S. Highway 59, State Route 181 and the Foley Beach Express.
Bayside finished the season with a 42-10 record. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, Bayside trails only Bishop England of Charleston, South Carolina, in total state titles and consecutive championships nationally.
Baldwin County’s coastline includes the Gulf State Park, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Bishop England won its 18th straight title the same weekend, its 28th overall since 1977. St.
The county’s economy also includes significant agriculture, with row crops, cattle and, more recently, hemp farming supporting rural communities.
Luke’s wins back-to-back titles St. Luke’s Episcopal may be one of the newer programs in the region — its first senior class didn’t graduate until 2013 — but the Mobile school has quickly built a winning tradition, claiming its second consecutive Class 2A championship.
Baldwin County’s growth has created challenges for local governments, which have had to expand services, schools and infrastructure.
Local Reaction
“The girls have worked so hard this year and I couldn’t be prouder of them and all that they stand for,” said head coach Meredith Harvison, whose team finished 34-15. “There was never a doubt in my mind that the girls could handle the pressure of the competition.
Real estate development along the Gulf Coast and on the Eastern Shore has been particularly active.
We do pressure drills every day in practice, and they are always under pressure to uphold the Wildcat standard on and off the court.” The Wildcats made quick work of Goshen in the title match, winning in straight sets 25-11, 25-12 and 25-15. Senior Jada Carney earned tournament MVP honors with 14 kills and three service aces.
Baldwin County’s coastal location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
She was joined on the all-tournament roster by senior Kellan Hensley (16 digs), junior Lauren Bailey (20 assists) and eighth-grader Gracie Sims (13 digs). McGill-Toolen adds to storied history No local volleyball program carries a deeper legacy than McGill-Toolen’s.
The Intracoastal Waterway runs through Baldwin County, providing a navigable channel for commercial and recreational boating.
The Mobile Catholic school’s famed “Dirty Dozen” squad brought home the program’s first title in 1974, and this year’s team delivered the school’s 20th overall championship — its first since 2005. McGill-Toolen knocked off three-time defending champion Mountain Brook in the semifinals before outlasting Bob Jones High School of Madison 25-16, 25-23 and 27-25 in the Class 7A title match.
Baldwin County’s cultural life includes the Eastern Shore Art Center and a variety of community events held throughout the year.
The Bigger Picture
“To win a state championship, our team defeated three of the top five teams in 7A volleyball — Hoover, Mountain Brook and Bob Jones,” said coach Kate Wood. “For our team to win three matches, in straight sets, was unbelievable for us to witness as coaches.
The county is home to several historic sites, including the Fort Morgan peninsula.
We had talked about our steady ascent all year. We would go through weeks where we would plateau, and we would talk about the plateaus being a time for us to reinforce what we were learning.
Baldwin County’s natural assets, including its white-sand beaches, make it a major destination for both day-trippers and seasonal residents.
But through it all, we talked about the next steep ascent that was coming if we just stayed focused on giving max effort, having a great attitude, being grateful for our opportunities, and treating each other really well. It was amazing to see that steep ascent at the state tournament.
Real estate prices in Baldwin County have climbed significantly over the past decade, with the resort area commanding premium prices compared to inland communities.
It was more powerful than we could have imagined.” Junior Kenya McQuirter earned tournament MVP honors with 23 kills, 12 digs and five service aces. She was joined on the all-tournament team by Erica Schilling (15 digs), Lillie Fromdahl (25 assists) and Alex Pierre (11 kills), while Millie Andrews chipped in 20 assists.
Local government in unincorporated Baldwin County is overseen by the Baldwin County Commission, which has worked to balance growth with conservation in recent years.
What Comes Next
McGill-Toolen finished the season 46-8. Elsewhere in the postseason, Daphne and Spanish Fort fell in the Class 6A semifinals, while St.
Local officials have stressed the importance of community engagement as the situation continues to develop.
Paul’s was eliminated in the same round of the Class 5A playoffs. USA soccer completes Sun Belt sweep South Alabama’s fall sports success wasn’t limited to the prep ranks.
Residents with questions or concerns have been encouraged to reach out to their elected representatives.
The University of South Alabama women’s soccer team completed a remarkable turnaround, rebounding from an 0-4 start to tear through its Sun Belt Conference schedule. The Jaguars claimed their fourth straight regular-season championship and their fifth consecutive conference tournament title with a 5-0 win over Coastal Carolina in a tournament played in Foley.
The story is one of several similar situations playing out across the region in recent months.
USA senior Rio Hardy was named the 2017 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Player of the Year and was also honored as the Most Outstanding Player of the conference tournament. Hardy, a native of Workington, England, led the conference in points per game (1.59), goals per game (0.71) and game-winning goals (five) during the regular season.
Anyone following local news will recognize many of the names and places involved.
She became the program’s all-time leader in game-winning goals and ranks second in career goals (43) and points (103). Joining Hardy on the all-tournament team were teammates Henley, Dixon and Justice Stanford, who recorded four saves en route to her eighth shutout of the season.
Local civic organizations have begun organizing meetings to discuss the implications.
Fellow standout Godfrey, a native of Thornton-Cleveleys, England, anchored a Jaguars defense that ranked second in the league in goals-against average (0.96) and helped shut out the team’s final five opponents of the regular season. The preseason player of the year and a 2016 second-team All-Sun Belt honoree, Godfrey played all but 10 minutes of the season.
Business owners and residents alike say they will be watching closely.
South Alabama entered the NCAA playoffs with a 14-5-1 record.
The situation underscores how decisions made at the local level can have far-reaching consequences.
Community leaders have called for patience and for a commitment to working through the issues in a transparent manner.
Several local churches and faith groups have offered to host discussions about the topic in the coming weeks.
Public comments at recent meetings have reflected a wide range of opinions.
Local reporters will continue to follow the story and to update readers.
Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings.
The outcome of the situation could shape similar discussions in other communities for years to come.
Local historians note that similar issues have surfaced in the past.
Area nonprofits and volunteer groups have stepped up to help residents navigate the changes.
Local businesses have begun adjusting their operations in anticipation of what may come next.
Looking Ahead
The story continues to develop, and residents across the region will be watching for additional updates in the coming weeks. Local reporters and community organizations will continue to track the situation as it unfolds, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Anyone with a direct stake in the outcome is encouraged to stay engaged with the public conversation through meetings, news coverage and direct outreach to local officials.