Osceola High once again finds itself among the elite in Florida high school volleyball programs as the 2024 season begins.
What could be surprising, however, is this edition of the Lady Kowboys may be the best team to ever grace the hardwoods of the Kowboys’ gym.
“We have a lot of weapons and we can attack from anywhere on the floor,” Carrie Palmi, who enters her 20th year at Osceola, says. “We have two solid advantages. With talent at every position, there is simply not one attacker that an opposing defense can concentrate on. The second thing is we now have experience. It’s nice to have talented freshmen and sophomores on your team and a totally different thing when they mature into upper classmen. The intensity, chemistry and focus have definitely been at a different level this off-season.”
Osceola’s strength begins on the outside, where juniors Cate Palmi (South Florida commit) and Jordin Southall (Vanderbilt commit) anchor the right and left sides. Both Palmi (516 kills) and Southall (406 kills) hit at better than a .300 clip. Sophie Spivey, another junior with 146 kills last season, give the Lady Kowboys three dynamic outside hitters.
Brooklyn Sippio, was a 6-4 freshman last season that grew leaps and bounds at middle block last season. With a year experience, Palmi wants to get her more involved in the offense, along with fellow blockers Makayla Mathews and Nailah Stevenson.
OHS replaces all-time assist leader Alex Liggeri, graduated and moved on to the college level (Chowan University), at setter with transfers; senior Andrea Rodriguez (Southland Christian) and junior Delaney Webb (St. Cloud) join the program. Junior Dari Bravo (393 digs) returns at libero and is also a threat on the service line (43 aces).
Osceola’s depth and experience will be tested by an incredibly difficult schedule that will start with six matches at the NIKE Tournament of Champions in Gainesville this weekend. The Kowboys square off eight times with 2023 state playoff teams including Holy Trinity Episcopal, Tohopekaliga, Bishop Moore, Hagerty, Windermere and a premiere home matchup with 7-A State Runner-up Winter Park (Sept. 26).
“The best way to get ready for the post-season is to play a tough schedule,” Palmi—whose teams have won three consecutive district titles and recorded a 69-20 record in the process – said. “We’re excited about the coming season and we know we will be challenged.
Optimism runs high with several other programs. Tohopekaliga recorded a 20-7 record last season and took Osceola to five sets in a first-round regional game. Although head coach Hiram Padilla lost some talented seniors, he does return Amyaiza Jordan (91 kills) and Elysse Rivera (21 blocks) to the starting lineup and had solid group of players that were elevated from a talented junior varsity squad a year ago.
Gateway also comes off a solid 2024 (18-9 and District 5A-9 champs). Head coach Heidi Lizardi returns sophomore Ivana Reyes (outside hitter, 231 kills), Kaitlyn Paulino (Sr., outside hitter, 211 kills) and Lesliean Rivera (Soph., middle blocker, 42 Blocks). Varsity newcomers Vlanka Mendez (Jr., Setter) and Mary Gallagher (Soph., middle blocker) should pick up some of the offense from departed senior Aniyah Radcliff (109 kills).
“Although we only have three returning starters, their discipline, leadership and character should provide a smooth transition as we continue to build our program,” Lizardi said. “We would like to repeat the success of last season and will work hard towards that goal. Improvement on a day-to-day basis while continuing to have fun in the sport we love is our goal.”
Harmony’s Ryan Kading welcomes back several veterans off of last year’s 14-13 squad, including multi-sport standouts Kinzie James (DS) and co-captain Martha Edwards. Middle blocker Alana Asante begins her third season as a starter in the middle, with second team All-OBC members Adriana Amy (libero) and Allyson Godwin (MB) also returning. The Longhorns look for junior varsity promotions Samantha Vickers (sophomore OH) and Vareliz Castro (Jr., DS) to make an impact.
“Fueled by veteran leadership and promising new talent, are theme for this season is ‘What Will We Do?,’” Kading said. “We are hoping this promotes the team to take control of their own destiny and go above and beyond to achieve endless results. We want to be the ones to determine our path to success.”
Travis Foster takes over at St. Cloud and is building around senior middle hitter Karly Kuchinskas (117 kills, 193 digs). Sophomore Sam Fernandez (libero) and Tohopekaliga transfer Tessa Rojas (hitter) figure into the plans this season.
“We have a great mesh of seniors and younger players and I am excited to showcase their talents this season,” Foster said. “As we attack this season, our goals will be play consistently; while improving on a daily basis.”
At Celebration, first year head coach Lidvani Pereira-Palva will have a mix of veterans and new players. Top returning players include Sophie Fiore (Sr., OH) and Allyson Whitt (Jr., S). Perelra says several newcomers should bolster the team, including Mya Alfonso, who made the varsity roster as a freshman.
“We aspire to compete not only at the highest level of the conference, but to build a legacy of excellence that will inspire future players at Celebration,” Pereira said.
Liberty coach Amanda Lozada returns several veterans including team co-captains Mercy Valentin (Jr., OH), Sam Oyola (Jr., L), and Yamilet Pabon (Sr., MB); along with senior outside hitter Jada Morten. Valentin is a threat both in the front and as a server, leading the Chargers last year with 43 aces. Two freshmen, Didielis Negron (OH) and Morgan Ocasio (MB) impressed enough in fall camp to earn varsity roster spots.
Senior co-captains Olivia Barber (OH) and Aidalee Vargas (L) will lead Poinciana (5-9 in 2023) into the season.