Sineidy Cruz knew when she was a third-grader playing volleyball at the Bayamon Military Academy in her native Puerto Rico that she wanted to go pro.

Cruz, a 16-year-old junior now living in Pembroke Pines, continues to work hard toward that goal. She is an integral part of the successful West Broward High School girls' varsity volleyball team.

With her efforts, West Broward (11-3) defeated Coral Springs Charter twice, Coral Glades, South Plantation, South Broward, Plantation, McArthur, Flanagan, Cypress Bay, Western and Everglades. The Bobcats setbacks are to Cardinal Gibbons, Coral Springs and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Cruz is only 5-4, but she can jump, proving that as a solid outside hitter. The versatile player can set, hit, block, serve and play defense.

When Cruz's family moved to South Florida, she decided to play for the Silver Trail Middle School team. In eighth grade, she led the Mustangs to the Broward County championship where she was named finals MVP.

Playing volleyball 11 years, she not only competes in high school but also for the Wildfire Volleyball Club. She is a member of the West Broward High School track & field team participating in the 400, the 800, the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay.

Athleticism runs in her family. Her father, Gerardo, was a runner and on the judo team at the University of Puerto Rico. Her mother, Michelle, a physical education teacher at Coral Springs Middle School, was a top swimmer in Puerto Rico. She swam the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke in college and competed in the Pan American Games.

Named by her father after her mother (Michelle Marie) and grandmother (Maria Oneida), Sineidy also swims, golfs and plays basketball.

Carrying a 3.5 grade point average, Sineidy wants to compete for the University of Florida.

• Varsity Volleyball Players of the Week

Audrey Aurigemma, Sheridan Hills: Senior hitter had 37 service points, nine aces, six digs, 16 kills in wins over Upperroom Christian, Florida Bible and Posnack.

Tash Begon, Archbishop McCarthy: Sophomore middle had 54 kills, 17 blocks in six matches including wins over Hallandale, Miami-Ransom Everglades and Miami-Lourdes.

Christy Brinson, Nova: Sophomore setter had 18 service points, eight aces, five kills 26 assists in wins over Coral Springs Charter and Dillard.

Dee Dee Dennis, St. Thomas Aquinas: Senior middle had 10 kills, 10 blocks, eight service points, four aces in wins over Ely and Venice.

Katie Hillman, Cardinal Gibbons: Sophomore middle had 15 kills, seven blocks, five digs, 25 service points, nine aces in wins over Stranahan and West Broward.

Pilar Irarrazabal, Sagemont: Freshman outside hitter/setter had nine kills, 14 digs, 24 service points, eight aces, 28 assists in wins over Hillel and Parkway and setback to Fort Lauderdale Christian.

Mackenzie Keightly, Westminster Academy: Junior middle had 10 service points, four aces, 33 kills, five blocks in wins over Calvary, Douglas and Yeshiva.

Ann-lori Pierre, Plantation: Sophomore middle had 19 digs, 24 service points, eight kills, six blocks.

Alyssa Robertson, Monarch: Senior outside hitter had 47 kills, 10 aces, 21 service points, four blocks, 31 digs in a win over Fort Lauderdale and setback to Taravella.

• Junior Varsity Volleyball Player of the Week

Tooba Mohammadullah, Plantation: Freshman had eight digs, two kills, seven assists, 10 service points, three aces in two matches including in its first win of the season over Miramar.

JUNIOR VARSITY

ARCHBISHOP McCARTHY

The Archbishop McCarthy School girls' junior varsity volleyball team defeated Coral Springs, North Broward Prep and Douglas to place fifth at the Coral Springs Melting Pot Invitational.

Natalia St. Thomas had 23 service points and 12 aces against the Colts. Brieanne Dofort had 12 assists, and Kellie Sutter added seven kills against North Broward Prep. Nicole Letendre recorded eight digs against Douglas. The Mavericks improved to 11-5.

PLANTATION

The Plantation High School girls' junior varsity volleyball team won its first match of the season by beating Miramar 25-17, 25-17.

Abigail Bermudez, a captain, had five assists, five digs, 11 service points and six aces. Tamara Wurms, a sophomore, added five digs and two service points. Freshman Tooba Mohammadullah had six digs, three assists, three service points and an ace.

In a setback to South Plantation, Mohammadullah had four assists, two kills, two digs, seven service points and two aces.

CALVARY

Calvary Christian girls' junior varsity volleyball defeated Highlands Christian 25-12, 25-11. Bethany Taylor, Emily Taylor and Kelly King did a good job.

• Miami-Westminster Christian d. Calvary 22-25, 25-22, 15-13: Caitlin Cortney, Alexa Romagnolo and Caroline Pauls played well for the Eagles.

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