CULLMAN, Ala. — Cullman County volleyball programs will compete under a new postseason structure beginning with the 2026 season as the Alabama High School Athletic Association implements its revised classification model separating public and private schools for championship play.
The new alignment, which covers the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, places schools into updated classifications and area groupings based on enrollment while establishing distinct championship paths for public and private institutions.
Regular-season scheduling flexibility remains in place, but area competition and postseason advancement will now follow the new structure.
For local programs, the changes reshape area matchups while largely keeping travel regional.
Addison and Meek will compete in Class 1A, grouped in the same area with Belgreen, Cherokee, Hackleburg, Phillips, Red Bay and Waterloo. The alignment keeps Addison and Meek paired with familiar North Alabama opponents as they compete for area tournament positioning.
Cold Springs will compete in Class 2A, placed in an area that includes Carbon Hill, Phil Campbell and Winston County. The grouping aligns Cold Springs with programs of similar enrollment while maintaining reasonable travel distances.
Hanceville, Holly Pond and Vinemont will all compete in Class 3A and are grouped together in the same area along with Susan Moore. The alignment ensures frequent county matchups during area play, adding significance to local rivalries with postseason implications.
Fairview, Good Hope and West Point will compete in Class 4A, sharing an area with Hayden. The grouping brings together several long-established volleyball programs from Cullman County and surrounding areas, setting up a competitive race for area tournament seeding.
Cullman High School will compete in Class 5A, grouped with Arab, Hartselle and Jasper. The placement keeps Cullman matched against larger enrollment programs and continues a slate of familiar opponents from recent seasons.
Private schools in Cullman will compete under the AHSAA’s separate private school championship format. Cullman Christian School and St. Bernard Prep are both classified in Private A and grouped in an area with Decatur Heritage, Oakwood Academy and Whitesburg Christian. While regular-season schedules may continue to include public schools, postseason advancement will follow the private school bracket.
The new alignment reflects the AHSAA’s effort to create clearer competitive balance while preserving regional play. Area tournaments will determine advancement to sub-region and state competition under the updated championship format.
The alignments will remain in place for two seasons, after which classifications will be reevaluated by the AHSAA.
AHSAA 2026–28 VOLLEYBALL ALIGNMENTS
Cullman-area schools included
Class 1A — Area 7
Addison
Belgreen
Cherokee
Hackleburg
Meek
Phillips
Red Bay
Waterloo
Class 2A — Area 9
Carbon Hill
Cold Springs
Phil Campbell
Winston County
Class 3A — Area 10
Hanceville
Holly Pond
Susan Moore
Vinemont
Class 4A — Area 13
Fairview
Good Hope
Hayden
West Point
Class 5A — Area 12
Arab
Cullman
Hartselle
Jasper
Private A — Area 8
Cullman Christian School
Decatur Heritage
Oakwood Academy
St. Bernard Prep
Whitesburg Christian
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