With a bevy of talented veteran players returning from last year’s 20-8 team and three outstanding freshman players coming in, the Osceola Kowboys look to contend for the Orange Belt Conference title and FHSAA playoff glory this season. “We have a great mix of veterans and newcomers,” long-time coach Carrie Palmi said. “The new players have transitioned in well and with the veterans we have back I am really excited about our prospects for the coming year.”
Osceola returnees include senior captain Kaitlyn Taylor (364 kills), senior Ahnika Johnson (144 kills, 54 blocks), senior Eimy Negron (43 aces, 462 digs), and junior Andrea Bravo (56 aces). Junior setter Alex Liggeri (224 assists) also returns to run the offense.
The three freshmen: outside hitter and age-group All-American Cate Palmi, right side hitter Sophia Spivey and libero/defensive specialist Dari Bravo (Andrea’s sister) are expected to be major contributors.
Tohopekaliga went 22-3 and was perfect in OBC play last year, but graduated a dozen seniors. Still, Coach Eric Capestany also have a few veterans coming back. “We have some extremely talented players coming up from the junior varsity program and a few transfers that are potentially impact players,” he said. “While I think we are going to be pretty good, the unknown factor is that some teams in the county are probably going to be a lot stronger this year compared to last. I know Osceola is going to have a great team and Harmony should be really good too.”
The Tigers should be led by junior Danna Aguilera (OH), who posted 172 kills as a sophomore. Junior setter Nyah Moore limited action last year, but played in big matches. Outside hitter Sophia Bou-Valez split between varsity and JV, and transfers Ileana Rodriguez, Faviola Acety-Gonzalez and sisters Amyeira and Amyiaza Jordan could be impact players immediately. Capestany calls 5-10, lefthanded hitter sophomore Amyaiza Jordan “a potential star. “
Long-time assistant Ryan Kading takes over at Harmony and is extremely optimistic. His standouts include setter Wiljamarie Hernandez, defensive specialist Isabella Granados, Adison Hynes, and fourth-year starter Drea Thompson, who will move from middle hitter to the outside. New varsity players who are expected to contribute include Andrea Rodriguez, Kinzie James and Alana Asante.
“We are a senior-led team with strengths at all positions. We have good size and a veteran setter,” Kading said. “The team is looking to build on their district championship from 2021 and be a strong contender as we move up in class to 7A.”
St. Cloud Coach Ettie Singleton says she is excited about her veteran team and hopes to challenge at both OBC’s and for a district title.
“I’m really excited about the coming season, we have a great group of athletes coming back. They have been working hard all summer and in the pre-season.”
Leading the way are upperclassmen Madison Carlo (Sr., setter), Lelani Cayaban (Sr., middle hitter), Delia Macdonald (Sr. outside hitter), DeeAnn Williams (Jr. OH) and Destiny Osborne (Jr., OH). Carlo led the team in assists (295) last year; while Macdonald (127) and Cayaban (107) were tops in kills.
Gateway also won a district championship last year, the first in Panthers history. They return Alondra Rivera (702 assists) and Alyssa Figueroa (631 assists) and Bianca Diaz (418 digs). Junior Morgan Alexander with join 6-1 newcomer Kiara Matos to give the Panthers a strong middle.
“Most of our roster has come up from our youth club program and has been playing together for years,” veteran Gateway coach Heidi Lizardi says. “Our goals are always the same, improve each match and make a run in the playoffs.”
Celebration graduated Anna Dela Cruz-Gonzales and Eva Davia-Morales, who accounted for a combined 700 kills. Coach Pedro Davila does return solid right side hitter Augusta Guzman, setter Carly Robbins, libero Bruna Braga-Mattozinho and Grace Harrison, who moves from inside blocker to outside hitter.
“We are going to be an extremely young team, one that will see a lot of sophomores getting playing time. With only two contributing seniors this will be a team that is definitely building a foundation for the future,” Davila said.
After a two-year absence, Richard Sanchez-Morales returns to coach Poinciana.
“I am looking forward to the upcoming season, building our program, and establishing the culture I envisioned two seasons ago,” he said.
The Eagles will be led by senior outside hitters Jailice Rodriguez and Makaila Longway and sophomore libero Ana Rosado.
Ninoshka Andujar takes over at Liberty hoping to reverse the Chargers’ fortunes. Top Returning Players include senior hitter Olivia Lettsome, libero Nadia Soto, and outside hitter Zullyam Lozado.
