Westminster’s Arroyo, Doral’s Molina are Dade girls’ volleyball players of the year
Both Gabriella Arroyo and Izabela Molina were strong volleyball players two years ago.
But the progress each has made since and the valuable experience each has gained playing for their respective programs made them two of the best players in the state.
Arroyo, as her teammates put it, became the stabilizing force behind Westminster Christian’s near-perfect season in Class 3A.
And Molina has become one of the best middle hitters in the county on a rising program at Doral Academy, which made it to the Class 7A regional finals.
Arroyo and Molina’s efforts made them the Miami Herald’s Girls’ Volleyball Players of the Year.
Arroyo, a 5-9 senior outside hitter who is committed to Dayton University, is the Player of the Year for Classes 4A-2A after leading a loaded Warriors’ squad to a 27-1 record and their fourth consecutive state final.
Molina, a 6-2 junior, is the Player of the Year for Classes 7A-5A and was the driving force behind a Firebirds’ squad which went 20-8, won a district title and advanced as far as the regional finals for the second consecutive season.
“It’s been really exciting because it was a historical season compared to last year,” Molina said. “Even if we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, I’m just really grateful for this opportunity and all my teammates because I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.”
Molina got into volleyball as a fifth-grader when she was the team manager on her middle school team. Eventually she started playing club volleyball and started to play middle mostly.
She credited her evolution at the position to working with Doral coach Julio Arnaiz, a former middle hitter himself during his high school days at Southwest Miami High.
Molina totaled 222 kills and had 36 digs this season.
“Coach Arnaiz has helped me a lot and taught me that there’s a lot more to playing the position than just hitting,” Molina said. “You have to know how to block, where to stand on the court at different times. He’s helped me a lot to improve as a middle.”
Arroyo already had an established background before transferring to Westminster from Riviera Prep after her sophomore year. But playing around the talent she was surrounded by at Westminster and being coached by a staff, led by head coach Julie Doan, which has won two state titles in the past decade, made her a complete player.
“After coming in last year and being new, I wanted to work hard and I’m super honored and hoping my hard work continues to pay off,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo totaled 293 kills, 307 digs and averaged 9.4 receptions per match to lead Westminster back to the state finals.
Arroyo’s on-court chemistry with the talented core of outside hitter Emily Matias, libero Zoey Matias as well as middle hitter Gigi Artiles, setter Alyssa Cadavid and outside hitter Alyah Cadavid helped the Warriors win their first 27 matches and earn a top 10 national ranking.
“We were really good, but her vibe and her energy on the court really is like none other,” Matias said. “She’s a strong player and a great person and we don’t make it here without her.”
Unfortunately for Arroyo and Westminster, things didn’t end the way they hoped after a stunning three-set loss in the state final to Clearwater Central Catholic.
“I think in the end we were disappointed we couldn’t finish the way we wanted, but one game doesn’t determine our whole season,” Arroyo said. “I think we’re proud of the season we had overall and made so many great memories as a team.”
