Dade volleyball preview: Senior-laden squads at Gulliver, St. Brendan ready for rematch
Miami St. Brendan’s girls’ volleyball team players might be taking a cue from the Michael Jordan documentary.
No, not “Air,” the earlier one.
With 11 seniors on their roster, the Sabres are calling this coming season, “The Last Dance.”
But one of their biggest rivals, Miami Gulliver Prep, might have every reason to feel the same way with a talented senior-laden roster of its own leading the way.
The Raiders beat St. Brendan twice during the regular season in 2022 before St. Brendan got payback in a five-set thriller that had a case for being the match of the year in Miami-Dade County.
With both teams in the same district and seemingly pretty even heading into the season which began this week, Gulliver and St. Brendan could be headed for an epic rematch with a spot in the Class 4A state final four at stake once again.
Gulliver Prep won 26 of 29 matches last season until its hopes of making it to the state semis were thwarted by the Sabres, who made it that far for the second time in four seasons.
Gulliver returns a senior-laden roster led by 6-foot, senior middle blocker Jackie Taylor, a University of North Carolina commit. Taylor enters the season ranked No. 3 overall in the state by PrepDig Volleyball.
But Taylor is not alone.
The Raiders also return senior Hailey Brenner, a 5-8 outside hitter, who also earned first team All-Dade honors last season. Senior setter Maya Pace and libero Sophia Wong pace Gulliver’s attack and defense respectively.
St. Brendan is led by outside hitters Ana Sofia Tobar (5-9) and Annelise Alvarez (5-4). But they are also not alone as they hope other contributors such as 5-10 setter Jordan Medina and middle blockers Mia Ortiz (5-10) and Emelee Lopez (5-8) will get them over the top again in the head-to-head series.
RELOADING POWERHOUSE
Miami Westminster Christian had a perfect season in its sights last year until a disappointing three-set loss to Clearwater Central Catholic denied the Warriors in the 3A state final.
The Warriors lost a talented group of seniors including two-time Miami-Dade Player of the Year Emily Matias, but still have enough talent to make another serious push for the championship which has eluded them since 2016.
Matias’ younger sister, Zoey, steps even more into a leadership role this season. Matias, a 5-7 libero/outside hitter is a Missouri commitment and a two-time All-Dade first team selection as well as two-time beach volleyball co-Player of the Year with her sister.
The Warriors still have plenty of size across the net led by 6-2 sophomore Gigi Artiles, 5-11 senior outside hitters Alyssa Cadavid and Jazmine Nicolas, and 6-0 sophomore Lia Gonzalez. Alex Washington, a 5-8 sophomore who was first team All-Dade in beach volleyball, steps into the lead setter role.
COACHING VETS RETURN
Three Miami-Dade coaching veterans are back on the sidelines this season after spending some time away.
▪ Miami Palmer Trinity (11-10 last year, 3A regional quarterfinalist) welcomes back former coach William Gonzalez, who led the Falcons to state four times from 2005-2016. On the court, Palmer will be led by 5-7 junior outside hitter Giovanna Colina and junior 5-10 middle Sofia Reed Gomes.
▪ Miami TERRA Environmental (9-12 last season) will be led by veteran former Killian coach Clinton Reid, who led the Cougars to state three consecutive seasons from 2005-07. His TERRA squad will be led by 5-6 senior libero Mia Medina and 5-5 defensive specialist Danna Lopez.
▪ North Miami Mourning is coming off a 15-5 season and welcomes back longtime former coach Dee Rey, who led the Sharks to the regional finals in 2015. Mourning is led by sophomore outside hitters Violette Zayas (5-4) and Gabrila Arcila (5-6) and 5-8 senior middle hitter Irina Yeroshova.
MORE OUTLOOKS
▪ Doral Academy is coming off a 20-8 season and a berth in the Class 7A regional finals. The Firebirds return three All-Dade first team players including 2022 Player of the Year Isabela Molina, a 6-1 senior middle blocker. Junior setter Melissa Gonzalez and senior libero Angie Vazquez should give Doral an edge on the attack and on defense. The Firebirds are also expecting a breakthrough season from 5-11 sophomore outside hitter Ainhoa Molleja.
▪ Lourdes Academy returns 11 players from last year’s 21-8 squad that advanced to the regional finals before losing to St. Thomas Aquinas. And the Bobcats still have only two seniors on the roster.
Olivia Guzman, a 6-1 junior middle blocker who is being recruited by the University of Miami, leads the group along with 5-8 junior outside hitter Ella Garcia, who has also drawn interest from multiple Division-I schools. The Bobcats will also count on a pair of 5-5 setters - senior Olivia Marrero and sophomore Jenna Acosta to make another run in Class 6A that likely means a return encounter with Aquinas along the way.
▪ Doral Divine Savior Academy graduated All-Dade first team setter Thalia Iglesias from a team that went 25-5 before losing in the 3A regional finals to Westminster Christian. The Sharks think they may be deeper this season with a squad led by sophomore outside hitters Kayla Lopes (5-7), Chloe Garcia (5-10) and Luiza Bergamaschi (5-7). Garcia is also the starting setter.
▪ Miami Mater Lakes went 18-10 last season and made it to the Class 4A regional quarterfinals. The Bears could have their deepest team ever led by Miami High transfer Sydney Wilson, an All-Dade 5-7 junior setter. Sophomore Sophia Bermudez (6-1) played on the Florida high performance 15U International squad.
▪ Miami Ransom Everglades (15-11 last season, 3A regional quarterfinalist) is hoping for a resurgence behind former Southwest coach Alain Suarez and a solid roster led by 5-8 junior outside hitter Julia Lewkowitz. Juniors Mia Jean Claude (6-0 outside hitter) and Addison Pollock (5-8 libero) are others to watch.
▪ Riviera Prep (14-14 last season) will be led by 6-0 junior outside hitter Sydney Zanca, 6-2 sophomore middle hitter Mariel St. John and 5-6 junior libero Valeria Nucete.
▪ Miami Ferguson is coming off a 19-8 season that included a GMAC championship and a berth in the 7A regional semifinals. The Falcons will be looking for more, led once again by 5-11 senior outside hitter and first team All-Dade selection Agatha Gonzalez. Senior 5-11 setter Mia Gonzalez also returns.
▪ Miami True North went 16-10 last season and made the regional quarterfinals in 2A. The Titans will be led by 5-10 freshman outside hitter Dayleen Valdes, a versatile player who can play all six rotations. Junior Gaby Miriki (6-1) gives True North good size in the middle.
▪ Miami Palmetto went 11-15 and has a new coach in Matt Kanakis. The Panthers will look to contend with a squad led by senior setter Lexi Diaz and juniors Sienna Lawrence and Ava Graziano.
▪ Southwest Miami went 14-15 last season and made it to the Class 6A regional semifinals. The Eagles are aiming to return to the playoffs this year behind a squad led by 5-8 senior outside hitter Isabella Pedrosa and 5-4 senior libero Arielis Diaz.
▪ Miami Carrollton is coming off a 9-16 season and is led by seniors Sofia Ibarra (6-0), Aubrey Bales (5-11) and Andrea Lopez (5-9).
▪ Miami Beach has a new coach, Madalyn Frazior, and is coming off a 15-5 season. The Hi-Tides will be led by 5-7 senior setter Ruby Robbins.
▪ Miami Archbishop Carroll (11-10 last season, 2A regional semifinalist) will be led by outside hitters Ivaney Marquez, a 5-6 junior, and Laidaly Ponce, a 5-7 sophomore.
▪ Homestead Colonial Christian went 13-6 last season and will be led by senior 5-11 middle Caitlyn Campbell and junior outside hitters Michelle Loynaz (5-7) and Alaina Long (5-7).
▪ Reagan Doral went 16-7 last season and will be led by 5-6 senior outside hitter Mariangel Mendoza and 5-8 freshman outside hitter Samira Persad.
▪ Coral Gables went 9-6 last season and will be led by 5-10 sophomore outside hitter Bianca Benson and 5-7 sophomore setter Corina McDanal.
▪ Miami Monsignor Pace went 9-7 last year and will be led by 5-9 senior outside hitter Cortnee Smith.
KEY DATES
Sept. 1-2: Tournament of Champions in Tampa; Sept. 22-23: Chaminade Invitational; Sept. 29-30: Florida Christian Invitational; Oct. 6-7: Venice Invitational; Oct. 13-14: Warrior Invitational at Westminster Christian; Oct. 16-20: Districts; Oct. 24-25: Regional quarterfinals; Oct. 27-28: Regional semifinals; Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Regional finals; Nov. 6-11: State tournament at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 7:10 AM.
