Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HARPERSVILLE – Aleah Pickett is officially set to play college volleyball after a stellar career for the back-to-back state champion Coosa Valley Rebels.

Pickett signed her letter of intent to play for Coastal Alabama South on Friday, Dec. 6 at a special signing ceremony at Coosa Valley Academy.

Pickett graduated early from Coosa Valley and will start her college career as an outside hitter in January with spring workouts. She plans to return to CVA for its 2025 graduation ceremony in the spring and currently has the top GPA in her class.

She was originally unsure if she would be able to graduate early but took dual enrollment classes from Troy University to help push her over the line and get to college in time for the spring while also securing Foundation and Presidential Scholarships from Coastal Alabama South.

“A few months ago, I didn’t even know if it was possible to graduate early, but I set my mind to it,” Pickett said. “Now that I am getting this opportunity to start my collegiate career, I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way. I know that I will miss high school so much, but this opportunity to further my athletic career as well as putting my academic career ahead is so worth it.”

Pickett transferred to CVA in her sophomore year after previously attending Shelby County High School. In the past three seasons since she joined alongside head coach Sydni Brown, the Rebels have achieved new heights, winning AISA Class A state championships in 2023 and 2024.

“Aleah was our middle blocker for the first few years,” Brown said. “She worked her way into being an amazing backrow player.”

Pickett was joined at her signing ceremony by all three of her middle school and high school coaches, including Brown, Columbiana Middle School coach Kayla Garlock and former Shelby County coach Valeria Hackett, along with her teammates, friends and family.

“If you never got the opportunity to play on the court with Aleah, you are missing out,” Pickett’s teammate Michelle Alverson said. “She’s fun to play with.”

Pickett also had an offer to play middle blocker at Bevill State but chose to play outside hitter at Coastal Alabama South for Dr. Ritchie Dulaney’s staff.