Doral’s experience key as Firebirds secure return trip to the volleyball regional finals
Everything was new a year ago at this point for the Doral Academy girls’ volleyball team during its first-ever run to the state final four.
Now, the Firebirds are playing like veterans.
On Saturday night at their home gym, Doral Academy barely let up during a dominant 25-11, 25-17, 25-17 victory over perennial contender Ferguson High in a Region 4-7A semifinal.
The Firebirds (20-7), who returned nearly every starter from last year’s squad, will now travel to Boca Raton to face the Bobcats on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for a chance to advance to the state semifinals for the second year in a row. Doral is the No. 2 seed in the region and Boca Raton, which beat Weston Cypress Bay on Saturday, is the top seed.
“Being there already helps for sure,” Doral Academy coach Julio Arnaiz said. “Our team is a lot more mature this year so in these tough matches, they’re a lot more focused than they were in the past and the trust factor on the court is there.”
One of the most key returners for the Firebirds was sophomore setter Melissa Gonzalez, who has played on the team since she was an eighth grader. Gonzalez totaled over 20 assists and dropped five kills often catching the Falcons (19-8) off balance with her precise passing to keep her attackers away from Ferguson’s blockers at the net.
Senior Stephanie Gonzalez and junior Izabela Molina each had 11 kills to lead Doral’s attack.
Bianca Hanks and Angelin Vazquez Moreno paced Doral early with accurate setting and each had three aces.
“Melissa is a special talent. She is attentive to the little details,” Arnaiz said. “It’s hard to find those players who can identify little gaps in their game where they can always improve. Her biggest improvement from last year has come in terms of leadership and really being that leader we need on the court.”
The Firebirds never trailed in the match, which had only five ties. Ferguson, which was once again led by Agatha Gonzalez (eight kills), only had one sustained stretch when it scored five points in a row to cut Doral’s lead in the final set to 18-14. But Doral responded with three kills from Stephanie Gonzalez to help put the match away.
“We talked about it since Thursday that we needed to have a sense of urgency,” Arnaiz said. “It’s always really easy to let up in the third set when you win the first two. The other team’s season is on the line and you knew they were going to bring the intensity.”
MORE VOLLEYBALL
▪ Region 4-7A semifinal: Boca Raton d. Cypress Bay 25-20, 25-17, 25-19.
▪ Region 4-6A semifinals: Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas d. Southwest Miami, 25-18, 25-11, 25-22; Miami Lourdes d. South Plantation, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20.
▪ Region 4-5A semifinal: Riviera Beach Suncoast d. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 19-25, 22-25, 25-17, 28-26, 15-10.
This story was originally published October 29, 2022 at 9:21 PM.
