Central Florida schools eye district volleyball titles
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – It has been six years since Bishop Moore won its sixth state volleyball championship, but the Hornets plan to serve up a serious run for another one.
Bishop Moore swept Eustis 3-0 in the semifinals of the Class 4A, District 6 tournament on Wednesday night to earn a spot in Thursday’s championship game against The Villages. It was the Hornets’ fifth victory in six matches and pushed their record to 17-7.
The late-season surge is a good sign for Bishop Moore, which came into the season with a smaller team than last year, and a younger one to boot – only two seniors – but has found a way to win. The Hornets last year advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals, tying them for the second-best finish among Metro Orlando schools with Orangewood Christian, which made it to the Class 2A state semifinals.
Windermere last year advanced to the Class 7A state championship game but has struggled this season.
Most Central Florida schools play district finals on Thursday. The regional playoffs begin next week.
“I like where we are at right now,” said Bishop Moore interim coach Brian Reim, who is filling in for head coach Tanya Starrett, who is on maternity leave. “We have steadily progressed in ability throughout the season, and I feel like we have yet to reach our ceiling.
“We have a young, competitive group which has a passion for the sport,” Reim said. “If we balance our competitive drive and athletic potential, while also not forgetting to find enjoyment in the simple things, we will continue to be a successful program.”
Bishop Moore has gotten great balance from its young team in 2022. Senior 6-foot-1 middle blocker Jaide Wirth has provided ample leadership with 119 kills and 44 blocks entering the district semifinals.
Wirth has teamed with sophomore outside hitters Anika Groom and Leah McDonald to form a formidable front line. Setting up that trio has been junior setter Sophia Iglesias, who has been a model of consistency all season.
Also excelling for Bishop Moore have been junior Libero Lauren Vintilla and junior outside hitter Emily Schellenberg.
Meanwhile, in Class 7A, Lake Brantley (20-6) has become Seminole County’s premier team and will battle East River out of Orlando on Thursday for the District 3 title. The Patriots are unbeaten against county teams and have played a competitive schedule, with several losses coming to national powers, including Cornerstone Christian of San Antonio, Texas.
“The team is doing well,” said Lake Brantley coach Allan Knight, whose team has won nine of its last 10 matches. “After battling through some injuries, the team is up and going strong.”
The Patriots have powered up with a young roster that features just three seniors. Twelfth-grader Sarah Gooch, a 6-2 outside hitter, is having a strong season with 202 kills. Fellow senior Avery Demetree, a Libero, has a whopping 403 digs.
Joining Gooch at the net are 6-1 sophomore outside hitter Amina N’diaye, who has 180 kills; 6-0 junior outside hitter Sam Bowron, 196 kills; and 6-1 middle blocker Austin Knight, 52 blocks.
Also playing well this year for Lake Brantley is junior defensive specialist/Libero Jordan Sigafoes, who has 379 assists.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of talented weapons on the team,” Knight said. “I feel that gives us the diversity to tailor our game in multiple ways to take on competition and play to our strengths.”
In 7A, District 4, two of Florida’s best teams will go head-to-head on Thursday night for the championship: Winter Park (20-6) and Hagerty (17-8).
Winter Park is coached by Stephanie Gibson, who earlier this year won her 800th career victory at the Orange County school. The Wildcats are ranked No. 9 in the state by the Florida High School Athletic Association and have played up to that mark. They are led by 6-3 junior Fallon Stewart, one of the top outside hitters in the nation. She had 369 kills and 186 digs coming into the district semifinals.
Also playing well for Winter Park are Emma Ortiz, a junior defensive specialist who has 182 digs; 6-2 senior middle hitter Kindell Welker, 60 blocks; and senior setter Maddie Zornek, 459 assists.
Hagerty, which is coming off a big win last week against rival Oviedo, is led by senior outside hitter Brooke Stephens, 299 kills and 199 digs; junior Libero Mayte Camacho, 361 digs and 42 aces; sophomore setter Brielle Mullen, 445 assists; and junior setter Emma Greenier, 229 assists.
In Class 6A, District 5, rivals Oviedo (12-11) and Winter Springs (16-9) will face off for the championship. Oviedo won a state title in 2018.
“We are looking forward to Thursday and excited for the opportunity to compete for a district championship,” said Oviedo coach Jen Darty. “We are focused on executing at a high level, playing together and working hard towards our goal.”
The Lions are led by sophomore middle hitter Rylee Yarborough, senior Libero Lily Cammack, sophomore setter Olivia Klimis and senior Paige Wisneski.
Winter Springs, which beat Oviedo in five sets earlier this year, is led by senior opposite A’siya Magazine, who has 249 kills; junior Libero Carola Negron, 287 digs; and junior setter Kendall Sines, 404 assists.
