For the entirety of the Class of 2026, only 30 volleyball players are chosen to participate in the 29th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Roster — Elmore County’s Isabella Fuller is one of them.
Fuller just completed her junior year with the Panthers where she finished second on the team in kills with 149 just behind Ally Orr. She also ranked first on the team in aces with 65 and first in digs with 438. Now, Fuller is being recognized as one of the best junior volleyball players in the entire state.
She will join 14 other girls to represent the South team coached by Auburn’s Brian Wheatley, UMS-Wright’s Wing Brett and Carver’s Virginia Franklin. Fuller will not only be coached by some of the best in Alabama, but will get to play alongside other talented players.
“She'll get the opportunity to play with some of the best kids in the state,” ECHS coach Kim Moncrief said. “I know there's two girls from Bayside Academy that will be there and then there's some others that will be there from some really good programs. I just know being at that caliber, she'll have the opportunity to work with some really good kids.”
Of course to be recognized as one of the top players in the state in one thing, but Fuller is the first Elmore County volleyball player to participate in the All-Star week.
“In the past, we have nominated a few people and so we had some really good candidates,” Moncrief said. “So of course, when we nominated Isabella, we were hopeful that she would get picked, because just like the other candidates she was worthy. But I’m super excited that she's our first one to get to go and participate.”
Moncrief echoed how prestigious of an opportunity this is for Fuller to participate in. She knows that not only will this make her a better player but also shines a light on the impact it’ll have on Elmore County.
“We are so excited about this, we've been trying to get some girls in in the past, and it's so hard because there's only 15 girls from the south that's picked, and there's 15 girls from the north that's picked, so only 30 girls from the whole state of this junior class,” Moncrief said. “And so for her to be one of those, to have this opportunity, it really helps our program get the recognition.”
The All-Star week won’t begin until July in Montgomery, but Moncrief is adamant this is the perfect opportunity for Fuller to grow as a player.
“Isabella is just a great athlete, and the fact that she's always seeking to learn things on her own, she's going to get out there, I know, and look at the other girls and take in everything that she can from them,” Moncrief said. “As well as the coaches that are going to be there, they've got two great coaches that are going to be coaching it this year as well, and I know that she's got a great attitude, and works hard at everything that she does, and works hard on in the off-season as well. I just think she’s just going to take every opportunity she can to improve her game.”
