Last year the Lady Eagles tried to make it a three-peat, three straight years of winning the Class 4A state championship. Their bid fell short as they were beat in the finals by a very good Guntersville team.
Jacksonville lost all-state players, Taylor Palmer, Caroline Neisler and Meagan Cabrer, all who have gone on to play at the college level.
This year, the Lady Eagles have only one senior, outside hitter Emily Tourella. The rest of the team is comprised of nine juniors and one freshman.
Of the players, only four have had varsity experience.
So, will this be a rebuilding year for the Lady Eagles?
Those who know the program don’t think so. Clark has built a program that has a firm foundation, starting with his junior high team and on to his varsity “B” team. These girls know how to play. Clark is excited about where his team is already. “We’re ahead of my schedule, of what I thought our progress would be,” says Clark.
The Lady Eagles are 9-3 this season. In the Capital City Classic, Jacksonville lost in the Silver Division to Montgomery Academy and to Carver in pool play. The other loss came at the hands of Piedmont.
This summer the Lady Eagles went to Middle Tennessee and won the volleyball camp, something his team didn’t do last year. “That was a big boost for their confidence that we could get through that camp, I don’t really think that they thought they could get through it.
“It was a big boost for us confidence wise; that kind of thing goes a long ways,” said Clark.
Returning for the Lady Eagles this year is Haley Jackson, a powerful middle hitter who will be expected to fill in for the departed Palmer. Allender Doggett, who is in her fourth year of playing for the Lady Eagles, has moved from right side to left side hitter. Lana Bell is also playing front row as is the only freshman, Katie Neisler.
Neisler comes from a string of Neisler girls who have been standouts for the team. Oldest sister Elizabeth plays for Samford University and Caroline plays for University of North Alabama. Both of the older sisters were on the state championship teams.
“Katie is learning and getting better every time we play,” commented Clark. “She plays middle for us even though in club ball she is an outside hitter.”
Senior Tourella has moved from the left side to right side. “It’s a good move for her and us. She’s been very effective,” said Clark.
Setting for the Lady Eagles is Nicole Penny. Penny also has some big shoes to fill as she steps in for Meagan Cabrer who set for the Golden Eagles for three years and is now playing at Shorter College.
“Setting is always an issue,” admitted Clark. “Nicole has done really well but is in a situation where she’s trying to replace Meagan who set for me for three years.”
Clark feels that the front row is where they might be struggling. “Right now it’s a matter of consistency for all of them. There are so many different parts coming in. Our offense has to continue to develop. I know we can be good enough skill wise; it’s the team thing, the chemistry thing that has to get better for us. It will be our weakest part until our connection gets better between the setter and the front row players.”
Clark doesn’t hesitate when he says that his back row is very strong. “Defensively it’s the strongest group I’ve ever had. Allender and Lana would probably be libero on other teams I’ve had. Both are left side players and are very strong.”
Clark substitutes the back row with Morgan Oliver and Alex Burroughs.
“We’re playing 9-11 kids which says a lot about them and what they can do,” said Clark.
“It’s worked out pretty well. We are going through some growing pains early. This first month will be up and down play but things should smooth out before the county tournament. But we’ve had a good start.”
Jacksonville is in a five-team area this year with Alexandria, Anniston, Heflin and Cherokee County.
The Lady Eagles will play in tournaments this year at Pleasant Valley, Hazel Green and Gulf Shores.
Clark has been at the helm for 18 years, taking his team to the state tournament for 14 of those years. He knows how to win; how to bring the best out of his players.
He’s not worried about his team this year saying, “I think this team can be as strong as most we’ve had.”
Looking back at the teams that Clark has had, that’s saying a lot.
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