Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Makos volleyball team captured the 2025 Class 4A Area 1 Championship on Wednesday, securing their spot in the upcoming South Super Regional tournament. The victory marks another milestone for the program as they continue their pursuit of postseason glory. The championship came during a special week for Orange Beach, as the team christened the school's brand-new athletics center with tournament action. Their dominant performance sent a clear message to regional competitors.

Head Coach Karen Atkins-Hairsto said,  “It was definitely a wonderful way to christen the new facility. We are so grateful to have all the support of our administration team, Mr. Wilkes and the board as well as Mayor Kennon and the City Council. I told the girls that could make history either by winning or by losing but no matter which one they decided, it would never be forgotten. So hopefully they wanted to be on the positive end of that "first win the new gym.!"”

The area tournament took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Orange Beach High School. Orange Beach entered the tournament as the top seed and received a first-round bye. The tournament also included St. Michael Catholic and Satsuma, with the Cardinals and Gators facing each other in the opening round.

The Makos have built an impressive resume throughout the 2025 season. Earlier in the year, they competed in their home Battle at the Beach tournament, where they started with a 5-0 record before falling to Gulf Shores in the semifinals, finishing with an impressive 5-1 tournament record. Heading into the postseason, Orange Beach was ranked 24th in the MaxPreps state rankings and had earned area wins over St. Michael Catholic and Satsuma during the regular season.

The timing of the area championship couldn't have been better for Orange Beach City Schools. The school unveiled its new $46.1 million athletics center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, just hours before the area tournament games tipped off at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The state-of-the-art facility provided the perfect backdrop for the championship run.

Area champions and runners-up will move on to the South Super Regional, set for October 23-25 in Montgomery, where teams will compete for spots in the state tournament in Birmingham. The Makos will enter the regional tournament as area champions, giving them a favorable seeding. Their experience from previous postseason runs should serve them well.

The program has a strong foundation of success to build upon. Last season, the Makos earned a runner-up finish at the South Regional Championship and qualified for the state tournament with a number two seed, marking their first return to the state championship tournament since 2022. This year's squad hopes to take the next step toward a state title.

Orange Beach's journey through the regular season prepared them for this moment. The team faced tough competition from Baldwin County rivals and traveled to challenging tournaments. Their ability to compete with top-ranked programs throughout the season helped them develop the toughness needed for postseason play.

The Orange Beach community has rallied behind its athletic programs, with nearly 40 individuals and businesses pledging over $400,000 in sponsorships to support academics, arts, and athletics at the new school facilities. This support demonstrates the strong connection between the school and the community. The Makos have given fans plenty to cheer about this season.

Atkins-Hairston, who is in her third season leading the program, reflected on the team's culture. "I have been here for three seasons and I am truly blessed to be the head coach here," she said. "We have great kids and wonderful parents who are supportive of our programs and want us to succeed. I think getting the first win in the new facility was just a small step to what we can accomplish."

As the team prepares for regionals, they carry the momentum of an area championship and the excitement of playing in their new facility. The Makos will face the state's best teams in Montgomery, but their talent and determination make them a dangerous opponent. With strong leadership and skilled players, Orange Beach has the pieces needed for a deep playoff run.

"We are looking forward to making a run at Regionals next week," Atkins-Hairston said. "We will face an Area Runner up first and then as we get deeper in the bracket, the competition gets stronger. We have to win 2 matches to make it to the elite eight in Birmingham the following week. Stakes are high but so are the rewards. We hope to continue to make history and represent Orange Beach in a positive way."

The next chapter of the Makos' season begins in Montgomery, where dreams of a state championship are within reach.