GULF SHORES – After leading his team to a top 10 ranking and a trip to the Class 5A sub-state round, Gulf Shores High School volleyball coach Wing Brett was named Baldwin County’s volleyball coach of the year.

Brett’s Dolphins were in a tough spot to start the 2008 season, having to replace a middle hitter and two outside hitters from the 2007 team, but he said they rose to the challenge.

“As a coach, you have to put your players in a position to excel at the highest level in practice and during regular season competition,” Brett said. “This group of ladies pulled together to create a team that helped me get recognized as coach of the year. Also, assistant coach Karen Collins is very instrumental in preparing our athletes physically for the season. She is responsible for training our athletes during fourth block athletics and summer workouts. Without this team effort, the volleyball program would not be successful.”

Senior setter Morgan Valle, sophomore middle hitter Allison Taylor, freshman outside hitter Virginia Jones, sophomore outside hitter Kimberly Glanding, senior defensive specialist Sarah Bosarge, senior middle hitter Yvette Jones, junior libero Emily Brett, junior setter Erin Brett, junior right side Tabitha Larkin and sophomore defensive specialist Laura Peavy made up the 2008 team.

Emily Brett, Erin Brett, Yvette Jones and Virginia Jones were selected as all county volleyball players.

Virginia Jones set a Gulf Shores record with 224 kills and 359 digs as a freshman.

Emily Brett, a junior, has 1,241 career digs and Erin Brett, also a junior, has 1,663 career assists. Both Bretts will return for their senior seasons in 2009.

“These two ladies along with right side hitter and setter Tabitha Larkin will make for an exciting group of ‘09 seniors,” Brett said. “What an exciting year. I can’t wait until next year with all our returning players.”