Retooled Aquinas aiming for volleyball three-peat; others seek breakthroughs
A week into the high school girls’ volleyball indoor season and it’s evident Broward County is replete once again with talent and state championship contenders.
St. Thomas Aquinas has been Broward County’s measuring stick for over a decade.
The Raiders entered the season seeking to win three consecutive state titles for the second time in program history and first time since 2014-2016.
They are just one of several programs that include Cypress Bay, Archbishop McCarthy, Pine Crest, North Broward Prep and Cardinal Gibbons, which appear primed to make a run to advance to the state tournament this November 3-8 at Polk State College in Winter Haven.
Let’s take a look at those programs and others from Broward.
St. Thomas Aquinas graduated several of its key players responsible for those past two championships, including Malia Brooks, Zori Brown, Mikayla Porter, Tameary Wardlaw, Kendall Evans and Riley Gulla.
Aquinas is already off to a strong start thanks to two of its top returners in senior outside hitter Emma Merhi and 6-1 senior opposite/setter Sydney Guerrier. Senior 5-8 setter Hailey Trebbien has also moved into a key role for the Raiders, who are competing in the Nike Tournament of Champions this weekend in Gainesville along with McCarthy, Pine Crest and other state powerhouses like Winter Park Lake Howell, Jacksonville Bolles and Clearwater Calvary Christian.
Pine Crest hasn’t won a state title since its own memorable three-peat from 2001-2003. The Panthers have a formidable lineup this season, which should contend to return to state. Senior Mia Gold is at the heart of it, returning after a stellar junior season during which she led the Panthers to the 3A regional finals. Pine Crest graduated setter Isabella Medeiros and libero Ali Natt, and basketball star Isabella Sangha is not playing volleyball. But the Panthers returned a strong core led by juniors Kaylee Foreman, Elizabeth Sauby, Gabriella Florian, sophomore Elle Schneider and eighth grader Isabella Collado.
Cypress Bay went a school-record 20-0 last season before falling in the Class 7A regional finals to Boca Raton in five sets. The Lightning graduated key defensive specialist Lara Demoraes, but returned a strong core led by senior outside hitters Sofia Guzman and Julia Diaz, and senior setter Erin Huang pacing its attack.
Cypress Bay figures to be among the county’s top state contenders again along with Stoneman Douglas, West Broward and Western.
Archbishop McCarthy made an impressive run to the Class 5A regional finals before falling on the road against Miami powerhouse Lourdes Academy.
The Mavericks return senior outside hitter Brianna Masaracchio, senior setter Fabiana Castro and added depth with 6-2 junior outside hitter Julianna Lugo, a transfer from Sagemont. McCarthy figures to once again be in the hunt for a state final four berth in 5A with a rematch with Lourdes potentially looming in the playoffs.
Cardinal Gibbons is now a decade removed from their most recent of their state-record 20 state titles. Gibbons may have one of its more capable squads in some time to challenge for a trip to the state final four in Class 3A. Sophomore 5-9 outside hitter Jordan Andrews leads the Chiefs, who are coming off a competitive 12-14 season that ended in the regional quarterfinals against Gulliver.
Junior 6-foot middle Taylor Scott and senior 6-foot middle Beatriz Matos are formidable up front and complemented by senior libero Avery Paton and senior setters Ava Flores and Ireland Gebbia.
North Broward Prep is off to a strong start coming off a regional finals finish last season in 4A. The Eagles’ season ended with a loss to eventual state runner-up Mater Lakes, but they appear ready to make another run thanks to the return of 5-11 senior outside hitter Yasmin Tonon and junior outside hitter Jayda Palumbo.
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Calvary Christian lost last year’s Player of the Year Bradee Boyd after she moved to New Jersey. But the Eagles should still be formidable with seniors Reese Mittauer and Camryn Kannell leading the way.
Western returns eight players and 10 seniors overall from a team that went 17-8 and made the regional quarterfinals in 7A. The Wildcats are aiming for a deeper playoff run thanks to the return of key starters like 5-9 seniors Paige Hill and Sanai Mitchell. Senior middle Alyssa Noble balances the lineup along with Kaitlyn Oxceus, a transfer from South Plantation, and senior libero Sarah Perez Ojeda.
American Heritage (15-8, 4A regional quarterfinalist) is looking to follow up on a playoff breakthrough and program-record 15 wins last year with nine seniors returning. Junior outside hitter Lyla Pack, senior setter Veronica Perez and junior defensive specialist Vanessa Camacho lead the Patriots.
Westminster Academy (16-9, 2A regional semifinalist) is in rebuilding mode with new coach Brooke Salvato and a much younger group led by four promising freshmen - Amelia Benkendorf, Allayah Hayden, Zoe Burton and Maddie Rogacki.
Cooper City (9-15) will be led by 5-7 senior outside hitter Sophia Tellez and 5-8 juniors Emiliana Rosas and Hayley Horwitz.
Chaminade-Madonna (11-11) is looking to get back into the playoff picture this season, led by senior libero Keylanis Cruz, sophomore setter Amy Wood and sophomore outside hitter Isabella Kerzner.
Fort Lauderdale (10-7) will be led by 5-6 junior outside hitter Lorena Rondon and senior 5-9 middle hitter Ava Mackel.
