Nov. 15 will be a day to remember for Lady Tigers’ volleyball coach Tanya Lybarger and her 2019 team.

Hartselle’s five-set victory over the 2A No. 1 Addison Lady Bulldogs gave Lybarger her 1,000th career win in her 23 seasons as the Lady Tigers’ head coach.

“The Addison win was really special because I have such a special group of young ladies this year,” said Lybarger. “These ladies get along so well and are so much fun. I have loved all my groups, but it is so special when they seem to love each other and be like one big family.”

Lybarger has served two stints as head coach at Hartselle. She was head coach from 1992-96 and 2002-present. In her first stint at head coach, she won 99 games. Since taking over in 2002, her teams have won 991 games. Her career record now stands at 1,000-424, following the win over Addison.

Besides this year’s team, two previous teams stand out in Lybarger’s memory.

“My 2012 team won the Class 5A State Championship. My daughter, Taylor Lybarger, was on the team, while Kathy Slayton and Robin Riley were on my coaching staff,” she said. “It was most definitely a team effort that year – a hard bumpy road to state but an exciting and fun one.

“My 2006 group was special,” she added, “because that was the first year to make it to the state tournament.”

Her teams have won five Morgan County championships, 15 area championships – 14 of those in a row from 2003-2016 – four regional championships, two Super Regional championships and one state championship in 2012.

She coached the Lady Tigers to 11 consecutive Elite Eights from 2006-16 and seven Final Four appearances.

“I love seeing all my former athletes, seeing how successful they have become and what great families they have,” Lybarger said. “There are many of my athletes still in our community making a difference. It has been a blessing being able to be a small part of these ladies’ lives.

“Hartselle has been a great school, home and community to me and my family.”