Birmingham, AL – Pleasant Valley wins Sand Rock in the AHSAA Class 2A volleyball final. They claim their the sixth state title, and the first since 1997, while also giving coach retiring Bryant the most memorable birthday present he has ever received.
by Joe Medley
The singing began the moment Dana Bryant made her way from Pleasant Valley’s bench, to accept the state-championship ceremonial volleyball.
“Happy Birthday to You!” was the chant of Raider fans as the coach, who was in his 18th year of coaching, stood and smiled at the camera.. “Happy day to you. Happy birthday, dear Dana. Happy birthday!”
Pleasant Valley swept Sand Rock for the second time during the season on Wednesday. This time the Raiders took it to the Class 2A state final, at Bill Harris Arena.
The final score was 3-0.
The set scores were 25-13, 26-24, and 25-18.
In the case of one Calhoun County’s humble and revered coach, their score was 47-25-18-1.
It’s 47 years old. 25 years of teaching and coaching and coaching for 18 years finally, the only state championship that’s eluded her.
It happened during the same year as Pleasant Valley win its second Calhoun County title on Bryant’s watching.
The title was won in the final moments of a winning streak of 20 matches.
The sixth state title for the program and the first since 1997 was in Bryant’s 552nd win of his career.
At the end of those miles, walked by an Pleasant Valley graduate from 1995 Pleasant Valley graduate, legendary Pleasant Valley athlete and a state-championship coach, she listened to the song of her birthday at the state’s most grand arena for volleyball at high schools.
“I really was battling crying,” she admitted with laughter. “I couldn’t have an even better birthday present. The day I turn 47 will be one of my most memorable birthdays.”
What an impact a year can make.
She was forced to realize that her birthday goddesses had been in the ring on November. 1st 2022. She was coming to terms with the loss in the state final to Donoho just six days prior to say nothing of the virus that infected both her squad and she in the match.
Following her post-match interview Thursday, Bryant recalled how sick the team and she were during the postmatch interviews of last year. She laughed while explaining her apology to AHSAA spokesperson Ron Ingram and assembled reporters.
Everyone was feeling well on Wednesday.
Bryant was a part of a coach’s ideal birthday celebration with daughter Allie who was on the team for the tournament with teammates Maddie Schwabe, Madi Hay and Lily Henry. Henry’s fourteen kills won her the MVP award.
“I believe it’s the ideal birthday present and also the most appropriate retirement present,” Allie Bryant said. “I consider it to be the best.”
As usual, Bryant’s husband David, who has been a veteran Pleasant Valley softball coach David was also at the bench, keeping the statistics and playing a supporting role during volleyball season.
Bryant’s voice exploded in tears as she spoke about the time she spent with her last team.
“They’re an incredible collection of ladies,” she said. “They do not just have the characteristics of a champion, they have the spirit of an athlete. They cherish each other and are a team player in everything they do. I could not ask for anything more.”
What’s coming next for Bryant she enthusiastically replied, “Retirement!”
“I’m going to take a breath for a few minutes,” she said. “I believe that God’s Lord is planning for my life. As I continue to move forward I can envision myself writing books, writing devotions, or being a leader in a women’s group. This is the vision God has placed in my soul.”
State volleyball matches
BIRMINGHAM Crossplex
CLASS 6A
Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
Bayside Academy def. Oxford, 3-0
CLASS 5A
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.
Alexandria def. Rehobeth, 3-0
Arab def. Alexandria, 3-2 (Semifinals)
CLASS 4A
Wednesday, 9 a.m.
UMS Wright def. Cherokee County, 3-0
CLASS 3A
Tuesday, 9 a.m.
Mobile Christian def. Glencoe, 3-0
Plainview defeats. Wellborn, 3-0
CLASS 2A
Tuesday at noon
Pleasant Valley def. Wicksburg, 3-1
Pleasant Valley def. Washington County, 3-0 (Semifinals)
G.W. Long def. Donoho, 3-1
Wednesday
Pleasant Valley def. Sand Rock, 3-0
1A CLASS
Wednesday, noon
Spring Garden def. Faith Christian Faith Christian, 3-0
Spring Garden def. Addison, 3-0 (Semifinals)
Thursday
Spring Garden vs. University Charter, 2 p.m.
