Bishop England, Bayside Academy continue dominance as high school volleyball's most decorated programs

Many schools may be as rich in history as Bishop England (Charleston, S.C.) and Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.). But few have high schools have created as much volleyball history.

Founded in 1915 in downtown Charleston, the 40-acre Bishop England campus today is located 10 miles outside the city on Daniel Island. The school's location is less than 15 miles from Fort Sumter, best known as the site where the shots that started the Civil War were fired in 1861.

Located on 20 acres on the edge of Daphne, Bayside was founded in 1970. Like Bishop, it is steeped in history – Andrew Jackson and his troops camped in the area during the War of 1812 and the property was shelled during the Civil War. Grapeshot fragments from the Battle of Mobile are in the school archives.

But today, the big news in the southeastern part of the country is the volleyball teams' history. Bishop England and Bayside rank among the three most successful programs in prep volleyball annals, Muncie Burris (Ind.) being the other.

Bishop England has won a national-record 23 state titles dating back to 1974. And the Battling Bishops are looking to add to their streak of 13 straight state titles. A 14th-consecutive title would tie the Bishops with Muncie Burris at 14 – second only to the record of 16 set by Cade Episcopal School (Acadiana, La.) from (1987-2002).

When the Bishops beat White Knoll in South Carolina's 2012 2A state title game, they moved one ahead of Burris. Bayside has 21 and has set its goal to tie Muncie this season.

The Battling Bishops are off to a 24-2 start and 10-0 in region play. As they have been each year since 2000, the Bishops are again atop South Carolina's 2A Poll.

What's the key?

You can start with coaching and throw in a lot of tradition. Then add commitment.

Guided by coach Kathy Blackman, Bishop England won its first state title in 1974. Blackman, who was the National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1990, won seven state titles and compiled an overall record of 500-69.

Blackman was followed by Danielle Dawley (363-45) and led the Bishops to nine state titles, including in her last seven years.

Leading the Bishops today is Cindy Baggott, who played on Bishop England's 1981 state championship team, and has led the team to six straight titles. Over the years, the Bishops' state titles have come at the 2A and 3A divisions. It's worth repeating - 13 straight and 23 overall.

Bishop England Athletic Director Paul Runey said the volleyball team's "streak is truly an amazing accomplishment, but we've come to expect it.

"All our programs here are successful," he said, noting that with 105 state championships, Bishop England has won "far more" titles than any other school in South Carolina. "Our kids are very dedicated."

Baggott said her squad plays many tournaments and most opponents from larger schools.

"I think that level of competition helps prepare us for our postseason," she said. "We just need to finish and we'll be okay."

Leading this year's team are sophomore hitters Montana Swanson and Ashley Brazzell and middle Mary Harriet Moore, a veteran of three state titles.

Baggott said things have changed dramatically from when she played at the school.

"We were multi-sport athletes back then," said Baggott. "Today, our girls are committed to volleyball year-round. I played year-round, but volleyball was three months, then we moved to basketball, followed by softball. There weren't any club sports like today."

She also attributed much of Bishop England's continued success to the Mt. Pleasant Volleyball Club and the school's conditioning program. Baggott added that their middle school feeder programs are outstanding.

"And we have excellent coaches at all levels," she said. "We're very fortunate."

As for the national-record 23 titles, Baggott said "It was a big focus last year, but talk has died down. As for the winning streak, I'm not sure the girls are even aware of it. I'm not sure we've ever talked about it. The players are just focused on this year. But they are aware of the tradition here and many of the players are generational."

Baggott pointed out that the girls will take a brief break after the state tournament, but then be back in the weight room in early January.

"They have commitment and buy into what we do," said Baggott. "So our success is three-fold: club program, feeder program and commitment."

It works.

As Runey points out, "I hate to sound overconfident, but state titles have become the expectation. We have a lot of tradition here."

Coach Baggott, however, says "Nothing is a given. We know if we work hard, we've got a good shot."

In winning its 11th-straight state title last year, Bayside posted a 65-2 record. They have won state titles at 3A, 2A and 1A, the last four coming at 3A.

Bayside has no plans to lose ground to Bishop England as it has its sights set on its 12th-straight 3A title and 22nd overall.

The key to success there? Again, it starts with coaching, as Ann Schilling is the most honored girls volleyball coach in Alabama laurels. She was the 2009 Co-Prep Volleyball National Coach of the Year and the 2011 National Federation of High Schools National Coach of the Year. She has been state coach of the year six times.

Schilling has been involved in 18 of the Lady Admirals' state titles. They have also finished as the runner-up four times.

"We don't talk about it (the streak) much, but we know it's there," said Schilling, who has guided Bayside to a 41-7 record so far this season. "It (the streak) is a motivating factor for certain – no one wants to be the first team to let it go."

According to Schilling, there is no secret, just a lot of hard-working people.

"We have great kids, great assistant coaches and terrific parents," said Schilling. "We have people who buy into what we are doing. They keep fighting, keep battling. When you do that, good things happen."

Ranked in its customary No. 1 (3A) spot in the latest Alabama polls, Bayside has a different look than it has had the last few years when it powered its way to a lot of victories.

"We not very tall - we have a couple of 5-9 girls in the middle," said Schilling. "But we are a strong ball control team with a lot of finesse."

Leading that "finesse" is setter Sydney Chandler, who recently surpassed the 1,000 assist mark for the season and 7,000 in her career. Chandler, a preseason MaxPreps All-American, has been a starter on four Bayside title-winning teams.

Like Bishop England, Bayside plays larger schools as often as possible and this year has beaten every reigning state champion, including 6A No. 1 ranked McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.) on Tuesday, as Chandler dished out 39 assists.

"We play a tough schedule top to bottom and that prepares us for our division when playoffs begin," said Schilling. "We usually get the other team's best game night in and night out."

Schilling said the proverbial target on her team's back is not an issue

"Doesn't matter what I like or not. It's there and we have to respond," she said.

When asked if she had a motto in preparing for another state title quest, Schilling said "a tough stretch is ahead, so it's time for us to put our big girl panties on.

"We can do it ... we can win again," said Schilling. "We just need to be consistent."

You can't really get much more consistent than Bayside has been the last dozen years.

Both Alabama and South Carolina state tournaments begin the end of October.

In addition to Bishop and Bayside, three schools have won seven state titles in a row and are gunning for their eighth:

• Crook County (Prineville, Ore.) is off to a 9-0 start and is receiving sterling play from outside hitter Hannah Troutman.

• St. Philip Catholic Central (Battle Creek, Mich.) is led by Sierra Hubbard Neil.

• Coventry (Conn.) is led by setter Emma Rose, sister of 2012 MaxPreps All-American Marina Rose.

In addition to Bayside, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) and Safford (Ariz.) are gunning for their 22nd overall titles and three schools – Cokeville (Wyo.), Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.) - are seeking their 20th overall state championships.