ELKMONT – There’s an old sports adage that there’s no I in team. That something Elkmont volleyball coach Mary Jane Hobbs has tried to instill in her volleyball players.

The hard work Hobbs has put into her volleyball program has paid off and it shows through her players on and off the court. The Red Devils are considered one of the best volleyball programs in Limestone County and are expected to battle for a berth in this year’s state tournament, but even though Elkmont is blessed with several talented players, the focus of their success is teamwork.

“We are about as close of a group as you’ll find,” senior Jamie Lacke said. “I can’t remember us ever having any problems or not getting alone. We all play several sports together and spend a lot of time around each other. That will make you close.”

Lack – Elkmont’s only senior – is considered one of the best players in the area and is an intimidating force on the net, but she is quick to point out that volleyball is a team sport and without her team the Red Devils wouldn’t be where they are now.

“Everybody has a role,” she said. “Everybody does their job. That’s the biggest thing.”

It’s that type of attitude that has made Elkmont one of the most well rounded volleyball teams in north Alabama. When you look at the Red Devils’ stat sheet after a match, no one player stands out. The one thing that does stand out though is the number of players involved.

“We have a lot of different players who are good at different things,” Ashley Roberson said.

“And we try to take advantage of what our teammates are good at. We keep everyone in involved during a match and that’s what makes us dangerous.”

The Red Devils’ biggest weapon on the court is their depth on the bench. Hobbs can be confident that any player on Elkmont’s bench can come in and get the job done in any situation.

“Everyone here has faith in one-another,” Autumn Bentley said. “We know everyone on our team is capable of playing and doing a good job.

“Faith like that is important in volleyball because in this sport you’re going to get frustrated.

“That’s why it’s great that we have so many teammates who are capable of getting the job done. It can take some of that frustration away.’

Sara Solomon transferred from Elkmont this fall and she believes her teammates attitudes are contagious.

“Everybody here is really supportive of each other,” she said. “No matter what, they’re all behind you.”

Emily Sutton said Elkmont’s play on the court is a tribute to their coach and they wouldn’t be anywhere near the same team without her.

“Mrs. Hobbs is our biggest fan and our worst critic,” she said.

“She pushes us real hard and makes sure we’re where we need to be. We don’t want to let her down.”