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Cate Palmi set a school record for kills and led Osceola to district and regional crowns as a freshman. Led by Palmi and senior Alex Liggeri, the Lady Kowboys hope to make a state championship run. PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MALDONADO
A year removed from Osceola’s volleyball team falling a few points short of a Class 7A state title match berth, the Lady Kowboys want more.
“We lost three really good players to graduation, but we have the vast majority of our team back. We’re still talented, still very young and we’re still really hungry. This team is excited to establish their own legacy and make another run at a state title,” Coach Carrie Palmi said.
The top returning player, sophomore outside hitter Cate Palmi, is also one of the top players in the state. She returns with senior setter Alex Liggeri, who posted a school record 1,023 assists. Sophie Spivey (104 kills last season), is another sophomore that is just starting to scratch her potential.
The front line has two potential stars in sophomore Mikayla Mathews and 6-3 Brooklyn Sippio, who Palmi calls an “incredibly athletic freshman that will solidify our middle.” The emergence of Mathews and Sippio permits Palmi the luxury of moving junior Aryona Johnston to the outside, where she will add quality depth.
Freshman Dari Bravo and junior Andrea Bravo played a lot last year and occupy the defensive specialist and libero positions with seniors Aleysa Sanchez and Samantha Gomez also seeing playing time there. Osceola also got stronger with the transfer of Jordan Southhall from Lake Brantley. The sophomore had 33 kills in her first two matches.
Coach Palmi will know where her team stands early in the season, when they play in the prestigious NIKE Tournament at Wiregrass High in early September.
Tophopekaliga, St. Cloud, Harmony and Celebration also have high expectations. The Storm graduated seven seniors and Coach Pedro Devila has just one returning starter Lauren Perez. Davila says he will start at least three freshmen this year and it may take a year for his squad to gel, but expects his team to be “competitive and chase wins as they mature.”
The Tigers turned the program over to Hiram Padilla, co-founder, owner and lead coach at Florida International Volleyball Academy. Padilla will have a solid corps to build around, including OH Danna Aquilera, OH/DS Ileana Rodriguez, OH/MH Sophia Bou and setter Nyah Moore. In addition, Angelis Figueroa (Gateway) and Kamyla Vega (Harmony) have transferred in. “We certainly have some talent in the program and we also have the depth to make it very competitive,” Padilla said. “We are looking forward to having a good season.”
St. Cloud veteran Coach Ettie Singleton lost three of her top four attack players, her middle blocker and top setter to graduation … and still remains optimistic heading into 2023. “This group has talent and a great energy level,” Singleton noted. “We certainly look forward to challenging for conference and district titles this year.”
Her top returning player is 5-8 senior Destiny Osborne, who posted 150 kills, 27 aces, and 212 digs in 2022. Junior Karly Kuchinskas had 39 kills at middle block last year and senior libero/ setter Tiffany Febus (200 digs) also returns. Haley Collins (6-0, MB) and Danigzy Matilla, a pair of basketball standouts, may provide help as they join the Bulldogs volleyball team for the first time.
After an uncharacteristic 7-9 mark in 2022, Harmony coach Ryan Kading looks to get the Longhorns back on track. “We are a team trying to climb a mountain,” he said. “We certainly want to compete at the highest levels in district and conference competition.” With just three seniors, Kading will rely on multi-sport standout juniors Kinzie James (OH, DS, S) and Martha Edwards (L, DS) . They are returning letter winners and team leaders, having recorded 186 and 156 digs respectively. Alana Asante had 40 solo blocks as a junior last year and at 6-0 should be a force in the middle. Adriana Amy will see action at both defensive specialist and libero; while sophomore Nora Dunn is a top newcomer at setter.
It will be a rebuilding situation for the Gateway Panthers, as the roster is stacked with young players. “We are definitely building this team for future successes,” Head Coach Heidi Lizardi said. “Many of our top players this year are going to be freshmen and sophomores.” That list includes freshmen outside hitter Ivana Reyes, middle hitter Leslie Rivera and libero Leah Pagan. Sophomore Amanda Cruz will also see considerable playing time. Junior Kaitlyn Paulino (106 kills), Alondra Rivera (32 aces) and Alaina Rivera (23) are also returning veterans for the Panthers.
Injuries derailed a once promising season for Poinciana last year. Senior captain Joselyn Bustamante is one of those players who was injured for a good portion of last year and Coach Richie Sanchez-Morales says that if the senior can stay healthy she has the potential to catch the eye of scouts and possibly play at the next level. Junior Ana Rosado returns after missing last year and the DS/libero is expected to be a major contributor this season; as is sophomore setter Khia Pereira. “Injuries derailed our season last year,” Sanchez-Morales said. “We are going to have a young team this year but we are fortunate to have some talent. Staying healthy and improving each day will be the key to having a good season.”
Improving on last year’s 2-14 record, working together and improving from day-to-day is the stated goal for the Liberty Chargers according to head coach Nino Andujar. She will rely on senior captain outside hitter Monica Montes to lead her young squad. Samantha Oyola (libero) and Meaghan McCarthy (RSH) secured varsity spots, while Dinoshka Rivera – a transfer from Tohopekaliga – will most likely be the main setter for the team in 2023.
Thecountychampionship will be determined when the Orange Belt Conference holds a week-long tournament Oct. 2-5.
City of Life Coach Jamie Moore returns four varsity players: Senior libero Mimi Fiorentino and junior hitters Melanie Gonzalez and Gianna Morales and junior setter Daniela Santiago. The Warriors added transfers Mia Garcia (Cypress Creek) and Arianna Rivera Rivas (Life Christian), returning sophomoresAriannaZavarce and Jazzmin Puckett.
“We have potential to be a very good, young, and competitive team. These young ladies have put in the hard work and we are looking forward to an amazing year” said Moore. “Each week as our schedule gets tougher, it will get us ready for district play in October”.
With a mix of old and new, the Heritage Christian Lady Eagles will battle in the Florida Christian Conference. Returning starters included juniors Isabelly Medina, Arianna Ogletree and Hillary Theard and freshman Genesis Yamin. Freshmen Melanie Escobar, Veronica Padron, Elisamar Quinones, Madi Stealy and sophomores Ella DiPietro and Izabel Reyes are new to the rotation.
“With a balanced blend of experience, talent, and ambition, this year’s squad is poised to write a new chapter in the team’s storied history,” Coach Jim Estrella said.
