Unbeaten Westminster Christian volleyball headed back to state on quest to make history
Westminster Christian senior Emily Matias felt bittersweet when she walked off her school’s volleyball court on Friday night.
On one hand, she was happy about the outcome of the match she and the Warriors just played. On the other hand, she was nostalgic about it being the last time in her high school career.
For Matias and her fellow seniors, there’s only one thing left to do.
“I just feel like we’re winning it this year,” Matias said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. We’ve come together the entire season and no one shies away from the moment. We feel like this is our year.”
Westminster Christian is in a familiar place.
The Warriors (27-0), ranked No. 8 nationally by USA Today, dispatched Orlando Lake Highland Prep 25-19, 25-14, 25-16 in a Class 3A state semifinal to secure their fourth consecutive trip to the state championship match.
The first three all ended in defeat for Westminster Christian, which is chasing the school’s third state title since winning its first in 2013.
The Warriors were in this same spot two years ago during the COVID-shortened season of 2020. They went 22-0 before suffering the second of those defeats in the final against Ocala Trinity Catholic.
But this year just feels different.
The Warriors once again made it look easy on Friday when it really shouldn’t have been against one of the state’s best.
That’s how good Westminster has been in what’s now on the cusp of being a historic win should it prevail next Friday at 2 p.m. when it plays for the Class 3A championship against Clearwater Central Catholic at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
The Warriors haven’t lost a set since Sept. 3rd when they upset San Antonio’s Cornerstone Christian, which is now 55-2 and ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today. They’ve only dropped three sets overall and none against an opponent from Florida.
Westminster is on the verge of becoming only the second Miami-Dade girls’ volleyball team to go undefeated and first since Miami Sunset accomplished the feat in 1988.
“You’ve earned the right to be here so now just go get it,” Westminster Christian coach Julie Doan said. “There’s nothing to hold back now.”
Matias led the Warriors with 17 kills and 12 digs while Alyssa Cadavid had 40 assists and Zoey Matias had 18 digs. Freshman Gigi Artilles had 13 kills.
Gaby Arroyo though helped Westminster take control of the match after a close first set with 15 kills, four aces and 12 digs.
Arroyo, a Dayton University commit, is who Matias says was the “missing piece” that brought it all together for the Warriors when she transferred to the school from Riviera Prep before last season.
“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.”
Arroyo has brought the complete package to Westminster’s lineup with her ability to serve, pass, strike and defend efficiently.
“That’s a huge compliment (for Emily to say) but we had a great group of girls and all I needed to do was get used to their system and help make it work,” Arroyo said. “In the beginning, it was a whole new experience but after a whole year with them, it’s amazing and I’m so glad I’m playing my final season with this group.”
But it’s Arroyo’s poise in rough spots that her teammates and coaches value the most.
“Besides her physical ability, she’s always so calm in the big moments,” Doan said. “That’s what separates her from other great players. She can do what she’s trained to do.
“I think in her senior season, she’s allowed herself to be a leader. When she came in her first year she was trying to be respectful and we finally just wanted her to go get it and she has.”
▪ Class 4A state semifinal - Tampa Academy of the Holy Names d. Miami St. Brendan 25-21, 25-14, 25-14: The Sabres (19-8) were making their first appearance in a state final four since 2019.
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 10:43 PM.
