Harmony opens defense of OBC All-Sports Trophy
Orange Belt Conference tournament action returns this week for the fall season, as the eight county teams will participate in the first championship tournament in girls’ volleyball this week.
Top-seeded Osceola (15-4) and second-seeded Harmony (9-1) hosting the first two rounds on Monday and Tuesday. The championship (6:30 p.m.) and third place (5 p.m.) matches will be held at Tohopekaliga on Thursday.
Osceola will be heavy favorites to win their third straight OBC volleyball crown and their fourth since 2019. The Kowboys have already defeated four county opponents in 3-0 sweeps and are one of the top teams in the state according to the FHSAA rankings (10th overall, fourth in Class 7A).
Led by Division-I commits Cate Palmi (South Florida) and Jordin Southall (Vanderbilt), Osceola took an eight-match winning streak into last week before dropping a three-setter to Winter Park (19-1), the number No. 2 team in the entire state. Osceola played the final two sets extremely tight in the 15-25, 23-25, 24-26 loss. Palmi, a junior is having another monster year with 274 kills, 43 aces, and 173 digs and a .397 hitting percentage; Southall, another junior, is right behind her (.305, 258 kills, 32 aces, 127 digs).
“We are using Monday’s first round match with Liberty as our Senior Night, which is always a special deal for our entire team,” Osceola coach Carrie Palmi said. “In addition, in the early rounds, we anticipate being able to give some of our reserves some playing time. Still we are not taking anything or anyone lightly. Winning the OBC Championship is always a state goal for our team, so I know we will be focused and ready to play.”
In addition to the Chargers (1-4) vs. Osceola nightcap; the first game will feature #4 seed St. Cloud (7-8) against #5 seed Gateway (6-8).
On the other side of the bracket, Harmony (9-1) is the top seed. The Lonhgorns bring a five-match winning streak into the tournament and their only loss this year was a 19-25, 14-25, 11-25 setback to Osceola back on Sept. 10.
Harmony is 5-1 against county opposition and is led by sophomore outside hitters Sam Vickers and Kiera Alexander; with flag football stars Kinzie James and Martha Edwards are also key players. The Longhorns will host #7 Poinciana (4-6) in the 6:30 game; while #3 Tohopekaliga (8-9) takes on #6 Celebration (6-7) in the first game.
Semifinals and consolation games will be held at the same time on Tuesday; while third-place and championship games at Tohopekaliga on Thursday. The two highest seeds of the other four teams will host fifth and seventh place games.
This will be the first points championship of the new school year, as Harmony looks to claim it fifth OBC All-Sports Championship in a row and 13th in the school’s 21-yard history. OBC Championship points are earned (8 for first place, 1 for 8th) on the results of OBC Tournaments for team sports and one-day tournament for individual sports. At least four schools must sponsor the sport for it to count.
2024 OBC Volleyball Championship Tournament
Monday, Sept. 30
At Osceola
Game 1: #4 St. Cloud vs. #5 Gateway, 5 p.m.
Game 2: #1 Osceola vs. #8 Liberty, 6:30 p.m.
At Harmony
Game 3: #3 Tohopekaliga vs. #6 Celebration, 5 p.m.
Game 4: #2 Harmony vs. #7 Poinciana, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
At Osceola
Game 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 5 p.m.
Game 6: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 6:30 p.m.
At Harmony
Game 7: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser
Game 8: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Thursday, Oct. 3
At Highest Seed
7th Place: Game 5 Loser vs. Game 7 Loser
5th Place: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner
At Tohopekaliga (if THS is in top 4)
3rd Place: Game 6 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser
Championship: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
