Westminster Christian strikes gold at last, winning elusive girls’ volleyball state title
It’s not elusive anymore.
Westminster Christian shattered any invisible barriers and won the Class 2A girls volleyball state championship Wednesday at the FHSAA state finals, topping Ocala Trinity Catholic 3-1 at Polk State College.
“We did it, we did it and I am so happy about it,” said Westminster head coach Julie Doan Kurenum, who is now in her 20th season with the Warriors. “We just kept talking to each other about no breaks, and to keep fighting.”
It was Westminster’s sixth consecutive trip to the state title game but its first state title since 2016 when Westminster won the 5A title. Westminster also won the 3A state championship in 2013.
“I have been waiting for this forever, since sixth grade,” said senior Zoey Matias, who is committed to Missouri. “I have been to the state finals every single year and we couldn’t pull through. But this year, I was a senior, and I was not going to back down and let my team lose again. It’s the happiest day of my life.”
Westminster (22-5) took down Trinity in four sets, winning 25-22, 27-25, 24-26 and 25-13.
Westminster battled its way to a sixth-consecutive state championship game berth after turning back Naples First Baptist, 3-1, in the semifinals Tuesday.
Matias was one of the main forces, racking up 18 kills with 27 digs.
Westminster junior outside hitter Gigi Artiles, who is committed to Georgia, also led the Warriors with 21 kills and 23 digs. She said the memories of being a state runner-up five times isn’t erased, but this is a great day.
“This is our comeback,” Artiles said. “After set three, we were just really focused on coming out strong. I think we decided to play as a family and we were going to have fun. The last set, we just left it all on the court, and I am so proud of our team.”
Westminster appeared to be on the verge of a clean three-set sweep, leading 22-18 in the third set, but Trinity stormed back and forced a fourth set.
“Without Coach Julie we wouldn’t be where we are. The leadership from Zoey Matias and Gigi Artiles, without it, we wouldn’t be here,” said senior Francesca Pazmino, who added it is the greatest night of her life. “This one is it.”