By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Play the Longhorns, get hooked.

Harmony’s volleyball team romped through the Orange Belt Conference and Class 4A District 7 last year, earning the Longhorns their first conference title and playoff berth.

And, with every starter returning this year, there’s been no letdown.

Coach Eric Trowbridge’s team has gotten off to a 7-0 start, the latest win a 25-14, 25-7, 25-14 decision over  district foe Poinciana.

“According to MaxPreps, we are No. 3 in the state,” Trowbridge said. “We’ve been playing really well with all around solid performances. We have been working really hard on ball control and speeding up the game.”

Setter Genesis Viera, a standout club player, runs a fast offense, distributing the ball to hitters Robin Janney, Marie Gilbert, Samie Feliu, Kassandra Brady and Alicia Palm.

“We certainly have the firepower (Genesis) needs to do it,” Trowbridge said.

Last week the team picked up three victories in three days in what the coach dubbed, “Hell Week.” The Longhorns defeated Lake Nona in a energy-zapping five-game match on Sept. 9, then 15 hours later beat Melbourne Central Catholic in an in-school match, then topped Foundation Academy in four games a day later.

The Longhorns host Gateway Monday.

St. Cloud is 4-4 and already matched its win total from the last two seasons combined.

New coach Ettie Singleton has guided the Bulldogs to district wins over Oak Ridge and Celebration, and to a seventh- place finish in the 16-team Bartow Invitational last weekend.

The offense of Annie Barberi and Emily Murray and defense of Steffi Rodriguez and Terryn O’Donnell have lifted the team.

“I’m so proud of all my girls, and I really hope to give every team we play  a run for their money,” Singleton said. “We’re really surprising some people, it’s become like a motto for us.”

St. Cloud is slated to open its new gym on Tuesday against OBC rival Osceola. The Kowgirls are off to a 3-2 start of their own, all against 5A District 5 opponents. Coach Carrie Palmi’s team will host Gateway Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to playing those county games as a tune-up for those district games that mean so much,” Palmi said. “Getting the team ready for the playoffs is my main job right now.”