Volleyball  

Depth, sophomores leave Alma’s Weaver ready to go

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Alma volleyball coach Kim Weaver is ready to take a big step heading into the 2024 season. 

The hard part, Weaver explained, might have to come from within.

“We’re in a very, very excited,” Weaver said. “We’re in a great place as a program. We have lots of momentum going into the fall. But now we are to the point where we have to expect to win.”

Weaver said Alma will host a team camp on July 18. They’ll also attend team camps at Arkansas Tech, Prairie Grove, and Greenwood. 

“That will give us a good idea of the variety of competition we’ll be exposed to and prepare for the future.”

The Lady Airedales graduated a handful of seniors last season but will have six seniors this season, including Mabry Birchfield and Ashtyn Carmack. 

Alma opens the 2024 season on Aug. 26 at Ozark. 

Alma senior Vivian Beneux competes in Alma’s Green And Gold game. 

“Those two consistently come out ready to practice and try to make sure everybody is focused,” Weaver said. “They’re all in.” 

Other returning seniors include Ava Sharp, Grace Peters, Vivian Beneux, and Zoye Wofford. 

Weaver said she’s expecting big things from junior Chloe Gregory. Weaver, the team’s fifth-year coach, is also excited about the group’s talented sophomore class. 

“That sophomore group, they’re a close group,” Weaver said. “They work well together as one unit. We want to replicate that.”

Coaching moves 

Alma athletic director Jerrod Burns has announced a handful of coaching moves - some coaches coming in and others moving up. 

Alma football coach Rusty Bush announced that Airedale assistant Payton Morris was elevated to offensive coordinator, where he’ll replace Chris Smith. A Lavaca native, Morris previously coached special teams and quarterbacks. 

Bush also announced Josh Salsbury as the Airedales’ new defensive line coach. 

Also, Brent Taylor was named Alma’s junior high football coach. 

Gavin Ball has been named the new girls' seventh and eighth-grade coach and an assistant girls coach for the Lady Airedales. He spent the previous two seasons coaching Carin McNabb’s staff, which included a 31-3 state finalist team from 2022-23. 

Brendan Simmons has been named Alma’s new seventh and eighth-grade and assistant boys basketball coach. Simmons played four seasons at Central Arkansas. 

Baseball 

Former Alma left-hander Logan Taylor and shortstop Derek Hatcher will help coach the school’s American Legion summer team, coach Brian Fry announced. 

Hatcher started for three seasons. He played this past season at Arkansas State-Mountain Home.

Taylor started for four seasons at first base and pitcher for the Airedales (2019-22). He recently completed his second year at Carl Albert State College.