Innovation and persistence propelled Edgewood Academy coach Brad Starks to 100 career wins in high school volleyball.
Starks officially achieved this milestone just last week on his way to delivering his second straight state championship, adding to the already impressive trophy case for Edgewood Academy. Starks credits many people for his success en route to this achievement, none more important than the players who have taken the floor under his command.
“My players have just been super talented and have individually got themselves to places where all I had to do is be the best coach I could be,” Starks said.
A notable standout who has assisted in the accomplishment for Starks, is Lindsey Brown, who is now a freshman volleyball player at the University of Alabama and was a two-time AISA state Player of the Year at Edgewood.
Starks admits he was not the most familiar with the sport when he first made his volleyball coaching debut, but trusted his work ethic and general knowledge of sport to guide him to incredible feats.
“I think my first year of coaching at my previous school, I coached about half the team in basketball and volleyball was not a huge deal at the time,” Starks said. “I spent that whole summer watching videos, reading stuff and participating in online clinics.”
Starks’ teams have racked up wins through principles he feels are necessary to win in every sport: toughness and resilience.
“Volleyball is a very technique driven thing, and if you don’t prioritize the technique then you will not have success, obviously it helps to be athletic,” Starks said. “But being a skilled passer or server is what it takes to really function.”
Starks’ career as a head volleyball coach has been nothing short of spectacular as he has managed to win at least 20 games in all four seasons along with the 2023 season at Edgewood where he took the Wildcats all the way to a 37-2 record resulting in a state championship victory as well.
With not much of his production coming back next year, Starks believes that the Wildcats will be forced to rely on new faces in new places, but is eager for the challenge.
