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Caitlyn White wanted her team to be prepared for the postseason.

In the history of the Demopolis volleyball program, the Tigers had only one win in the current regional format. For them to break through and get to state, she knew her team needed to experience what a big stage would be.

That’s why her squad played in some difficult tournaments throughout the regular season.

“I told the team, my parents and my admin that we might not have a good record this season, but it was important for us to learn how to play on the big stage,” White said. “That’s why we played those tournaments. We knew we might not win many games in those tournaments, but I felt like it prepared us for regionals.”

The challenging schedule prepared Demopolis to make history, as the Tigers notched their first-ever trip to the Birmingham Crossplex for the AHSAA State Tournament in Class 5A.

The turning point in the season came when Demopolis came back home after their final tournament in Orange Beach. It was at that time White made the decision to include four freshmen in their rotation.

The team clicked and went on to win the area championship dropping just one match in the regular season. Then on their home floor, they won back-to-back matches against Selma and Montevallo to clinch the area championship.

“I am just so proud of this team,” White said. “Coming into the year, I knew we were going to be young, but they grew up throughout the season. And when we got to Montgomery, the stage wasn’t too big for them, especially for our freshmen. They were focused, and we were able to get past the first match. And I knew if we got past the first match against Headland, we might have a chance to win the next match and get to state.”