Veteran coach hoping to lead emerging softball contender Somerset Silver Palms to state
Gator Rebhan knows a thing or two about building championship softball programs.
Rebhan, who guided Miami Palmetto to two state championships and two state final four appearances and later led FIU to arguably its best season ever in 2017, is at it again at Somerset Silver Palms, a charter school in Homestead.
In two years, the Stallions have earned their first two trips to the regional playoffs and a district championship.
Somerset got close to clinching their first berth in the state final four last season before losing 2-1 to Broward County powerhouse Coral Springs Charter - winners of five consecutive state titles from 2014 to 2019.
With almost its entire roster returning, Somerset wants more.
In an area long dominated by traditional programs such as Palmetto, Coral Reef, Gulliver, Westminster Christian and most recently Doral Academy, Somerset Silver Palms is ready to etch its name among Miami-Dade County’s perennial favorites.
“Our team is experienced and solid all-around,” Rebhan said. “But we’re still a young team.”
Rebhan’s own daughter, Taylor, a freshman shortstop, leads the squad and is one of the top overall hitters (.430) and base stealers (24 last season) in the county.
Senior pitcher Edan Playa emerged last season as one of the county’s best arms and earned Miami Herald Class 4A-2A Pitcher of the Year honors. Playa struck out 114 batters and compiled a 0.82 ERA.
She will be caught by All-Dade first team catcher Arlene Sordo, who hit .333 with 17 RBI.
Two eighth graders - center fielder Ava Stevens (.342, 20 SB) and second baseman Leilani Gonzalez - are also expected to play key roles. Senior Gessenia Hernandez is also back after driving in 24 runs.
NEW ACE FOR DORAL?
After winning a state title in 2021 and finishing state runner-up in 2022 led by the right arm of Louisville signee Alyssa Zabala, Doral Academy will try to remain at the top with another potential ace in the pitching circle.
Junior Yessenia Lopez, who threw a perfect game last season and struck out 84 batters with a 1.29 ERA for South Plantation High, transferred to Doral and will top a rotation that coach Willie Viruet says has a few more options this season. Among those are sophomore Meagan Villazon and senior Ana Richiez.
The Firebirds’ lineup should still be among the state’s most formidable and experienced though.
Sophomore third baseman Sarah Breaux, who hit .407 with five home runs last season, leads the group along with freshman shortstop Anabela Abdullah, who also hit five homers in 2022. Villazon and Richiez, who will both play first base when not pitching, should also provide offense along with sophomore Leyani Viruet.
MORE OUTLOOKS
▪ St. Brendan (18-11, 4A regional finalist) returns one of the best lineups in the state and is looking for its first trip to the state final four since 1990. Junior infielder/outfielder Marley Nielson, a captain of the team since her freshman year, leads the Sabres along with sophomore Madisyn Llerandi and senior Brianna Masses-Valera. The key will be if St. Brendan can pitch after graduating senior Sophia Moran. Senior Emily Barrera will lead the Sabres’ new rotation.
▪ Palmetto (19-11, 7A regional finalist) will be coached by Ryan Ricke, an assistant coach the past seven years under former coach Emilio Exposito. The Panthers will be led by Miami Herald 7A-6A Player of the Year Sophia Wylie, a Florida Gulf Coast signee, and senior catcher/third baseman Daniela David, a West Georgia signee. Senior Abigail Wylie is an Emory University signee.
▪ Coral Reef could have its deepest team since its last trip to the state final four in 2018. The Barracudas will be led by Rachel Hawkins, a Furman University commit who will primarily play catcher, third base and shortstop and has made All-Dade first team twice. Brianna Perantoni, also a two-time All-Dade first team selection and a Rollins signee, will lead off and play center field. Coral Reef’s top pitcher is Camillia Villamizar, an NSU commit who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.
▪ Westminster Christian (17-7, Class 3A regional semifinalist) will be led once again by senior infielder Brooke Rebhan, who hit .455 with 24 RBI and has signed with Georgetown, and senior outfielder Dani Alvarez (.421, 23 RBI). Infielders Gigi Khoury, Bridget Haller (Bucknell signee) and Alexa Bender will try to add quality depth to a Warriors’ team, which took a step back last season after advancing to the previous seven state final four tournaments.
▪ Southwest (8-10), once a playoff regular, has advanced to regionals only once since 2018 and hasn’t won a regional game since 2012. The Eagles feel they are ready to get back to contention with a roster led by senior shortstop D’Lani Navarro (.423, 18 RBI) and senior pitcher Yessenia Perez, who had two no-hitters and three 1-hitters in 2022.
▪ Terra (10-8, 5A regional quarterfinalist) will be aiming to win its third consecutive district championship under new coach Nestor Blanco. The Wolves will be led by seniors Sofia Blanco, a catcher/third baseman who hit .310 with two homers, and Leala Ramos, a first baseman who hit .457.
▪ Palmer Trinity (14-10, 2A region quarterfinalist) will try to build upon its success a year ago behind its top two pitchers - senior Emme Fundora (9-6, 2.80 ERA) and eighth-grader Emmy Cerda (5-4, 93 Ks). All-Dade first team shortstop Kinsey Cerda (.533, 18 RBI, 18 stolen bases) leads the Falcons’ lineup.
▪ Miami Country Day (12-7 last year) returns six starters led by sophomore pitcher Collins Ames. Seniors Logan Sennett, a catcher/infielder, and Isabella Mateo, a catcher/outfielder, lead their lineup.
▪ Carrollton (7-4-1) is led by sophomore pitcher Madelyn Althage, who went 7-3 with a 5.35 ERA last season, and a pair of eighth-graders in Veronica Franzino and Grace Diez.
▪ Colonial Christian (5-8 last year) will be led by senior pitcher Emily Friman, who returns from knee surgery and hit .500 in six games last season, as well as junior catcher Joselyn Walsh and sophomore Adrianna Haponuk.
▪ Coral Park will be looking to improve following a 1-9 season led by sophomore Leah Sanchez and senior shortstop Adrian Manjares.
