Southwest boys’ volleyball falls short again vs. Winter Park in state final

The third time wasn’t a charm.

Southwest found itself on the losing end of a Class 3A boys volleyball state title game rematch on Saturday at Polk State College and was once again upended by Winter Park.

Last year, Winter Park beat Southwest – the 2023 defending state champions – in five nip-and-tuck sets. But this time, Winter Park swept Southwest in three straight.

“Our team turned the corner this year and is a lot more disciplined, and we had our shots and opportunities,” Southwest coach Joshua Perez said. “No one wanted to see this rematch more than me.

“They are a great group and they are fun to coach against. Winter Park has a great coaching staff. It’s always a chess match which makes it nice. We gave ourselves a shot and an opportunity, and that was our goal the entire season.”

Southwest (25-6) lost the first set 15-25 and then dropped the second set 20-25 before rallying in third but eventually falling 23-25.

It was the third consecutive season Southwest battled its way into the state title match, but this year was different. In years past, there was only one classification and one overall state champion.

This year, the FHSAA expanded the field and created three classifications, but Southwest and Winter Park still managed to arrive in a rematch.

Despite the setback, Southwest feels they will be right back in the state championship game next year, competing for another title.

“Absolutely, it’s a factory that we have going on. We are training and we are grinding and we have the young guys coming up. We are looking really good and we should be back next year.”

Southwest was led by junior Kevin Munoz with 10 kills and two digs while Juanmarco Diaz delivered eight kills, dished out 12 passes and handled seven digs. Additionally, senior Dereck Ocasio had eight kills, eight passes and two digs.

“The first state title we won was exciting, I was a freshman that year,” Munoz said. “But last year we got runners-up and now this year again. So I am just happy to be here at the finals.”

Winter Park (22-5) was led by Tristan Guitton with 21 kills and 11 digs while junior outside hitter Aidan Fontaine had 10 kills and nine digs.

“We always worry about (a team wanting revenge). They are coached well,” Winter Park coach Jesse Day said.

“Southwest has a real blue-collar culture. We knew they were going to come in prepared and willing to adjust. I think we also had a bad taste in our mouths from last year even though the results were in our favor.”