Without a doubt, in sports, home-field advantage is a huge asset.

Which is why Billingsley volleyball coach Wayne Martin is glad to be hosting the AHSAA Class 1A Area 5 tournament Oct. 18; he feels his team, combined with a familiar atmosphere, might just be a force to be reckoned with.

“The way my girls have been playing, I feel pretty confident,” he said. “I [know] my girls [are] capable; it’s just getting them to think that they are capable.”

Martin’s Bears aren’t afraid of taking on stout competition; even though only 1A in classification, they’ve faced several 4A programs, including Calera and Montevallo.

He also said he felt that certain players stepping up at the right time helped turned the team toward the postseason, where BHS will host an area tournament for the first time.

“Madison Price, this is her first year playing volleyball, period,” he said. “She has a great attitude and has become a starter. That doesn’t usually happen. Alexis Cook is one of the strongest hitters I’ve seen.”

Martin said he felt his team was coming together at precisely the right time.

“We’re setting more than ever,” he said. “We’re trying to be more proactive than reactive.”

With all the pieces in place, Martin said he felt his Bears are hungry to carry on the success.

“We’re ready for it,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it. We feel pretty good, not taking anything away from the other teams.”