Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Christian Academy Volleyball finished the 2025 season as the Class 4A State Runner-Up, just a season after winning the Class 4A State Championship. The Panthers also won the Class 4A Area 5 tournament as well as the Class 4A Super South Regional Tournament. Following the season, PCA Volleyball Coach Kaylon Cantrell was named Coach of the Year in Class 4A by the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association. For the second consecutive year, the Elmore Autauga News has named PCA Coach Kaylon Cantrell as the Autauga County Volleyball Coach of the Year.
“It’s definitely an honor to be selected as the Autauga County Coach of the Year again this year,” said Coach Cantrell. “I love what I do and I have been very fortunate to work with some amazing girls who make my job incredibly rewarding. They come into the gym ready to learn and work hard every day, and I don’t take that for granted. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be their coach!”
In addition to the state runner-up finish in 2025, and the state championship in 2024, the Panthers also won the Class 3A state championship in 2022 and made the Elite 8 in 2023. The sustained success has made the PCA volleyball program the most consistent athletic program in the area.
“Over the past few years, we’ve been blessed with players who genuinely want to win and are willing to do the hard things to make it happen. We’ve had incredible leaders and captains who hold themselves—and their teammates—accountable in everything they do: on the court, in the weight room, and in the classroom. Our program has embraced the motto ‘Best Teammate; Best Effort,’ and although we set that standard as coaches, the girls consistently hold themselves to it,” said Coach Cantrell.
After winning two state championships, along with multiple area championships and regional championships, keeping the players motivated to strive to achieve more could be considered one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. But Cantrell and her coaching staff at PCA have been able to consistently get the most out of the girls.
“I think once you’ve had a taste of winning, it makes you want it even more! Our girls have experienced that success. They’ve seen the hard work pay off, and they understand what it takes to compete and win at a high level. They’ve fully bought into what we do here, and understand that winning is not going to come easy. We work hard every day, but we also have a lot of fun! I want them to be their very best, but I also want them to enjoy the game and enjoy each other,” said Coach Cantrell.
Looking back on the season, the Panthers had some memorable matches and victories, but Coach Cantrell recounted some moments outside the gym as her favorite.
