Five coaches earn spots in Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

The Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association has announced its distinguished Class of 2026, honoring five legends who have shaped the sport across the state. According to a news release, these inductees will be officially recognized during the AHSAA Summer Conference/Volleyball Coaching School on July 23. The ceremony is set to take place at the Montgomery Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, held immediately following the second set of the All-Star match.

Meet the Class of 2026

This year’s inductees include Gretchen Boykin, Kittilax “Apple” Kridakorn, Rebecca “Becky” Lee, Tanya Lybarger Childers, and Warren House.

Gretchen Boykin

Over a stellar 21-year tenure, Boykin maintained a remarkable 85 percent winning percentage, finishing with a career record of 1,157-208. Her resume includes five state titles at Spanish Fort and one at McGill-Toolen. A 2020 NFHS state Coach of the Year and AVCA Milestone Award recipient, she stands as only the 15th coach in Alabama history to reach the 1,000-win milestone.

Kittilax “Apple” Kridakorn

Kridakorn’s impact on the game spans over 45 years. As a dedicated official, she worked in 11 college conferences and spent 15 years as the State Tournament Referee Coordinator and State Rules Interpreter. Beyond officiating, she contributed as a coach at G.W. Carver High School and Huntingdon College before retiring from the Montgomery Public School System in 1998.

Rebecca “Becky” Lee

A titan of the sport, Lee began her coaching journey at East Lawrence in 1978. She later returned to her alma mater, Hatton, where she coached for 20 years and secured 771 victories. Her leadership propelled the Hornets to four consecutive state championships from 1990-93. Additionally, she found immense success in softball with three state titles and was honored as an NFHS National Coach of the Year.

Tanya Lybarger Childers

A true icon at Hartselle High School, Childers accumulated 1,101 career wins. As a player, she was Alabama’s first Gatorade Girls Player of the Year, and as a coach, she guided the Tigers to the 2012 state championship. Over her 25 years at the helm, she led Hartselle to 18 area titles and 13 state tournament appearances.

Warren House

House defined longevity and excellence at Springville High, where he spent 36 years recording 1,199 volleyball wins and 27 area championships, including the 1995 Class 2A state title. With more than 1,700 total wins across volleyball and basketball, he also made his mark in the classroom as a respected teacher of AP Physics and AP Environmental Science.