Four Russellville volleyball players earn AHSVCA All-State recognition

Four Russellville High School varsity volleyball players were named to the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association (AHSVCA) Class 5A All-State team, the organization announced on Monday, November 3.

Sophomores Bri McCulloch and Blevyn Sappington and seniors Laila Hill and Fatima Ramirez were the four Lady Golden Tigers to receive recognition from the state’s coaches.

McCulloch, the team’s libero, was tapped for the All-State Second Team, while Hill, Ramirez, and Sappington were named Honorable Mentions.

McCulloch, who finished her 2025 season with the program record for career and single-season digs, led the entire state of Alabama in that category, according to MaxPreps.com. The sophomore finished the year with 894 digs which, as of writing, was the fourth best tally in the entire nation, according to MaxPreps.

The senior outside hitter Hill led the RHS attack this campaign with a team-high 450 kills, good for an average of 3.2 kills per set. She also set a new program record for kills in a season.

Sappington was right behind Hill in kills, finishing second on the team with 366 for the year. The sophomore outside hitter also recorded a team-best 80 aces and was second on the team in digs behind McCulloch.

Ramirez was pivotal in aiding both players in their attacks, finishing her senior campaign with 576 assists, also a new program single-season record. The setter didn’t just set up attacks, though; she contributed to the team all over with 108 kills, 61 aces, and 337 digs.

All four All-State Lady Golden Tiger players were crucial to the team’s overall success in 2025, helping lead RHS to many triumphs including a 41-win season, a first-ever area tournament title, and the longest playoff run for the team in decades.

According to available records online, Hill, McCulloch, Ramirez, and Sappington are the first four All-State players for Russellville since Janet West in 1979.