‘We’re not done’: Southwest volleyball out to prove it is still a state title contender
After two state runner-up finishes, there have been some changes on Southwest’s boys’ volleyball team.
The Eagles graduated one of the state’s top players in Jack Hershman.
And with no player taller than 6-2, they are fielding one of their shortest teams in recent memory.
But what hasn’t changed yet is their results.
“When you lose a player like Jack everybody thought Southwest was done,” Southwest coach Alain Suarez said. “We’re not done. We’re still the Eagles. The guys don’t feel like they have to prove anything because everybody knows what Southwest volleyball is about.”
Southwest (21-8) gave another demonstration that it is ready to compete for another state championship on Friday as it dominated rival Columbus on its way to a 25-18, 25-19, 25-21 victory at their home gym.
The Eagles, who are two-time state champions and looking for their first since 2008, advanced to the regional finals where they will host Belen Jesuit on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Southwest beat Columbus for the fourth time in five tries and has won five consecutive matches without losing a set since losing a five-set thriller against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. The Eagles could face Gibbons - a state favorite - again if they make it to the state tournament next weekend at Archbishop McCarthy.
Suarez feels like his team is playing its best volleyball of the season and has found ways to counter their size disadvantage with crisp passing and serving.
“We’re definitely executing and we’ve improved a lot,” Suarez said. “Every time we play a game, we’re always the smallest. But the discipline of these guys and the serving and passing is elite. That’s what this team wants to be known for when we step on the court. And that’s what’s taken us to be able to beat teams like Columbus.”
Alessandro DeLaO led the Eagles with 18 kills and seven digs while Marlon Albornozvera had 14 kills and 10 digs. Erick Pinzon 37 totaled assists while Alejandro Leon had 18 digs.
Region semifinal - Belen d. Ferguson 25-16, 25-22, 25-20: Federico Marino with four blocks, 5 kills. Gabriel Suarez had 11 kills and seven digs while Marcelo Morales had five kills and four blocks.
More regional semifinal scores: Cardinal Gibbons d. Stoneman Douglas, 25-9, 25-12, 25-13; South Broward d. Cypress Bay 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22; Flanagan d. St. Thomas Aquinas 25-8, 25-11, 25-10; Miami High d. SLAM 25-16, 25-11, 25-11; Hialeah Gardens d. Reagan 21-25, 27-25, 25-10, 22-25, 15-12.
