When you think of Miramar High School athletics, football quickly comes to mind and then basketball and wrestling, but surely not volleyball -- until now.

Coach April Thomas has done a nice job building something from a dormant volleyball program. Her young Patriots' girls' varsity volleyball team beat Hallandale on Monday, making it unbeaten at 5-0 this season, its best start in a long time, maybe ever.

``Volleyball at Miramar has never really been taken seriously,'' said Thomas, the team's second-year coach. ``Now we have them working in the summer; the girls are putting the time in to get better. We feel pretty good with how we're doing.''

After going winless two years ago, Thomas took over the program last season, and the Patriots won five matches.

With the 5-0 start, the Patriots should exceed 2008's win total. They've also defeated Boyd Anderson, Ely, Stranahan and Dillard. Not any top teams by any means, but these were matches Miramar was losing in the past.

``We have a lot of work ahead of us,'' Thomas said. ``We have some young players who are athletic and improving.''

Thomas noted senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Chelsey Walsh, a four-year starter with a stellar serve who leads the eye-opening team. Walsh, who plays basketball and flag football as well, is in the International Baccalaureate program, earning college credit.

Junior setter/hitter Alessandra Cabrera, a club volleyball player, is a solid addition, along with sophomore hitters Breanna Chevolleau and Ashley Jocelyn.

Thomas not only credits the work by her players but also the efforts of her coaching staff. Tameeka Bell, a Miami Northwestern grad, and Andre Gonzalez, a Miramar High alum, help Thomas with the girls and boys' volleyball programs.

Thomas played high school basketball and volleyball in New Orleans. She met Bell when they competed in both sports at Florida Memorial College in Miami. Thomas coached volleyball at Miami Edison from 1997-2003, starting the boys' program.

Thomas returned to coaching last season at Miramar, again starting a boys' program.

• Miramar d. Hallandale 25-11, 25-23, 27-29, 25-10: Ahead 24-23, Miramar's Chelsea Walsh served an ace to seal the win in game two. Walsh had 13 points (10 consecutive) with six aces to also lead the opening game win.

Breanna Chevolleau had six kills, two blocks, six points and four aces in game two. Evelyn Espinal recorded nine points, four aces and a kill for the Chargers.

Ashley Jocelyn had four kills in the fourth game for Miramar. Christina Benedict had eight points, two aces and a kill. Alessandra Cabrera had three aces and two kills. Chevolleau had four points, two aces and two kills. Walsh added three points and two aces, and Kim Jampasar had an ace.

The Chargers showed a lot of heart by winning game three, after dropping the first two. Miramar overcame a four-point deficit to take the lead in the third game, but Hallandale prevented two match points en route to the game three victory.

Delcia Johnson had 10 points with eight aces and a kill in game three. Maria Alvarez, Angie Feeney, Evenie Sam and Espinal each had a kill. Espinal also had three points, and Sam had an ace. Miramar's Alessandra Cabrera had three kills and an ace in game three.

For Miramar (5-0), Chelsey Walsh, 24 points, 11 aces, 4 kills; Breanna Chevolleau 12 kills, 14 points, six aces; Alessandra Cabrera 7 kills, 8 points, 6 aces; Ashley Jocelyn 11 kills, 5 points, 3 aces; Christina Benedict 13 points, 3 aces, 2 kills; Klea Jampasar 3 points, 1 ace; LaQuisha Stevens 2 kills.

For Hallandale (3-2), Delcia Johnson 15 points, 10 aces, 2 kills; Evelyn Espinal 13 points, 5 aces, 3 kills, 2 assists; Maria Alvarez 4 points, 1 ace, 2 kills; Evenie Sam 3 kills, 2 points, 1 ace; Alia Johnson 2 points; Angie Feeney 1 kill, 1 point.

• Miramar d. Dillard 25-13, 25-18, 25-14: Ashley Jocelyn 2 aces, 4 kills, 18 points; Chelsey Walsh 1 ace; 5 kills; Breanna Chevolleau 2 kills, 10 points. For the Panthers, Janine Alexander 10 points, 1 ace; Darnella Faison 5 points, 3 blocks Alexis Brown 6 points; Sadie-Ann Bailey 8 points, 2 kills.

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