The Isabella volleyball program is no stranger to the state volleyball tournament.

Not a single member of this year’s group of Mustangs, however, has been there before.

Isabella will take on Decatur Heritage at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Birmingham CrossPlex to begin its 10th Class 1A state tournament appearance under coach Glen Graham. It will be the program’s first appearance since 2011.

Though the team is short on state tournament experience, Graham said he’s been impressed with the way the Mustangs have responded to pressure this season, including the atmosphere last weekend in the regional tournament.

The Mustangs defeated J.U. Blacksher (25-10, 25-10, 25-15), Millry (25-8, 25-4, 25-15) and Kinston (25-22, 22-25, 25-12, 25-23) before losing to Pleasant Home (16-25, 25-15, 25-21, 20-25, 15-10) in the championship match.

Still, the second-place finish was good enough to earn the Mustangs a trip to the state tournament.

Unique Robinson paced the Isabella attack with 62 kills and 21 blocks in four matches combined; Synia Chattman had 32 kills and 11 blocks; Jayda Jones had 20 kills and five aces; Kacie Adams had 15 kills, eight blocks, 53 assists, five aces and 15 digs; Hailey Underwood had 16 kills, three blocks, 41 assists, five aces and 34 digs; Sarah Graham had nine kills and seven digs; Caley Booth had six aces and 44 digs; Sophia Underwood had 20 digs and Alma Contreras had 12 aces and 12 digs.

At least one of the Mustangs, Sarah Graham, has experienced a state tournament. The coach’s daughter, Sarah Graham was a manager for the last Isabella team that made the state tournament.

The rest of the team is a mix of youth and upperclassmen.

Three freshmen—Chattman, Jones and Sophia Underwood—are regular contributors. Glen Graham said it’s been several seasons since he’s had a team that relied as much on freshmen.

The coach said it’s a tribute to the program’s other coaches that younger players can find their way so quickly on the varsity squad.

But the seniors—including Adams, Robinson, Sarah Graham, Contreras, Desie Hernandez and Kimberly Payton—also play crucial roles on the team.

Glen Graham said he realized in spring training that this team could be special.

“I’ve told them since then that they have the chance to be the best team I’ve had,” Graham said. “I think we’re the most complete team.”

And they also handle pressure well.

Graham said an example was the first tournament of the season, when the Mustangs found themselves behind Marbury, 15-4, but fought back for the win.

“This team doesn’t seem to panic very often, and we seem to know how to step on the gas at the end,” Graham said.

If the Mustangs defeat Decatur Heritage, they would play in a semifinal match at 3:30 p.m. The Class 1A championship match is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday.