Divine Savior volleyball’s dream season falls short of state championship

It took a buzz saw to cut Divine Savior’s remarkable season a title-game appearance short.

Third-seeded Divine Savior was upended in three straight sets by second-seeded Tampa Prep on Monday in a Class 2A girls volleyball state semifinal at Polk State College.

Divine Savior, the Region 4-2A champions, entered the match flashing an impressive 29-1 record, with its lone loss coming against Marco Island Academy, 2-0, on Oct. 4. Since then Divine Savior had reeled off seven consecutive wins.

“They are warriors,” Divine Savior coach Jorge Perez said. “They are warriors even though we lost. We came out here 29-1 so they should be proud of themselves. They wanted to go through an undefeated season. Someone took us out of that, but overall they had a tremendous season.”

Tampa Prep (21-7) shot out to a seven-point lead in the first set but the tough-minded Divine Savior squad immediately battled back and knotted the score 15-15 down the stretch. The Sharks even took a brief 16-15 lead before Tampa Prep hit another gear and won 21-25. From there, Tampa Prep won the next two sets 20-25 and 10-25.

“We weren’t passing so we couldn’t play to our tempo. We just didn’t pass well,” Perez said.

Tampa Prep has won 14 state championships – the third most in state history – and Perez knew his team was going to run into a buzz saw of a team right out of the gate, but he didn’t know about the sharpness of the blade.

“I knew they were good, but they impressed me a lot. They were really good,” said Perez, who added his team had a tough time doing what it does best this season. “We had been doing really well serving the entire season but we could not serve well tonight. I think that was really the secret of the win that they had.”

Divine Savior was led by senior outside hitter Ruth Martinez with 10 kills, 37 passes and six digs and junior outside hitter Sasha Kawas with 10 kills, 11 passes and six digs. Additionally, seniors Luiza Bergamaschi and Victoria Gutierrez pulled out eight digs apiece.

“I think we had a great season and we only had one loss,” Kawas said. “I think we did something very special even though it ended in a negative way. But we left everything on the court and did everything we could. I am very grateful to be on this stage because not very many people get on it.”

Divine Savior is losing nine players from the squad, including five that are seniors, but Perez feels his team can make a return trip to the state tournament next year.

“That is the plan. I still have Sasha Kawas and she is going to be a senior. She is one of our leaders and makes sure everyone stays in line,” Perez said.

Divine Savior won the 3A state title in 2018, topping Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin in the final.

Tampa Prep will face the Naples First Baptist – Maitland Orangewood Christian winner for the 2A state title Wednesday at 10 a.m.