Airedale Prep Focus
Multi-talented Jaeda Cahoon, Lady Airedales focused on July
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
As much as Jaeda Cahoon enjoys the spirit of a good volleyball match, her face lights up when you bring up music.
“My grandpa (Billy Gregory) plays the electric guitar, and I got his guitar, and also my dad (Jared) plays guitar,” she said. “I’ve always been into music, and I love writing it and exploring it.”
Cahoon has written a few songs and has recently finished a tune she’s eager to record a video of.
But for now, as the Lady Airedales volleyball squad gets closer to July, the focus is all about team chemistry.
“Last year, we went with more individual effort,” Cahoon said. “This year, you can already see us coming together as a unit. I think that’s a big thing for the girls, to be a unit, rather than be an individual.”
Alma finished 7-17 and 3-11, respectively, in 2025. This season’s senior class has just two players — Cahoon and Bailee Oliver.
“She’s (Cahoon) going to be really good for us on the right side or the left side,” Alma coach Josh Stark said. “She works hard; she’s one of the first kids in the gym and the last to leave. She wants to be out there her senior year, and she’s going to get a lot of playing time.”
Stark is taking over as the team’s head coach following a one-year stint at Charleston. He was an assistant coach at Alma in 2024.
“I’ve known most of them (players) from years past, and they’re learning my way and more of an upbeat atmosphere, and I’ve got ten to know them and have relationships with, and a couple others I’m still trying to break through with,” Stark said. “It’s gone really well.”
“He came in and brought in a whole new dynamic,” Cahoon said of her new coach. “All the girls love him, and he pushes us to do better, but also has that balance and encourages us. He’s been great to work with.”
Busy schedule
Cahoon has honed her skills in the classroom and on the court by paying attention to the little details.
“You just have to find that balance between having fun but also knowing when to step back,” she said. “There are a lot of times when I’d like to go out with just friends, but I know I have a test the next day and I need to stay home or study, or be on the bus … rather than just being on my phone, I’ll be doing homework.”
Athletics has also taught Cahoon that winning and losing are more about growth.
“Athletics just means growth and figuring out a new world and stepping up and owning up, not only to your teammates, but also learning to work as a team,” she said. “I feel like it can’t be just one person, and as the years have gone on, our team has focused more and more on that.”
Early keys
Alma opens the 2026 season on Aug. 24 against Charleston.
“I think this year we have a great balance with all the spots on the court,” Cahoon said. “It will be a lot more well-balanced with us playing against teams and coming out and performing. It’s a lot different. We have more range in our offense and defense, and we know how to read the court. I didn’t feel like we had that as much last year. I think it’ll show (this season) within the dynamics with us.”
“We want to go in prepared; that’s the biggest thing,” Stark said. “We’re only going to have three practices (following the 10-day dead period) before team camp at UCA (July 8-9). We want them to go in knowing my style of play. We want to work hard in June, knowing that when we start in July, we’re going to be ready to go.”
