Last year was like the last decade. Osceola High dominated the county’s volleyball scene, going 26-5 while winning Orange Belt Conference, district and regional titles before falling in the Class 7A state semifinals in five sets to Plant.
And while that team graduated most of its starting lineup—including Division-I signees Cate Palmi (South Florida), Jordin Southall (Vanderbilt) and Sophie Spivey (South Carolina-Upstate)—they will remain the team to beat.
The strength of the team starts with 6’4” WVU commit Brooklyn Sippio, who moves from middle block to outside hitter this season. In the school’s first two matches, she has already been a dominating force with 47 kills. Sophomore Natalya Turcios takes over at setter, junior Kimore Richardson fills the middle block position and junior Leah Nieves operates at opposite outside hitter.
Brooklyn’s sister Maddy, a 5-11 outside hitter, has earned a starting spot as a freshman while fellow frosh Lya Lopez will see action at setter. Sophomore Soraya Jean will factor into the lineup at hitter and libero.
The FHSAA dropped from seven to six classes in most team sports and the Kowboys have settled in 5A “We graduate a lot of talent, but our goal remains the same, we want to challenge for championships and make a deep run into the state playoffs,” said Osceola coach Carrie Plmi as she starts her 22nd season. “With so many new starters it will take some time early in the season to establish a base lineup and gain experience but by the end of the year I believe we will have the potential to compete with any team in the state.”
Osceola is joined in District 5A-6 by Gateway, who went 19-6 last year and made it to the regional semifinals.
Coach Heidi Lizardi returns several talented players for her 12th season including senior Ivana Reyes (146 kills), sophomores Gabriela Alvarez (225 digs) and Travionna Curry (68 kills). Freshmen outside hitters Anaya Reyes and Sofia Brillon are the future of the team.
“We’re very excited about the upcoming season as the Panthers will have a strong group of new players and a core of veterans that will provide the needed experience and leadership,” Lizardi said. “During the off-season and first couple of weeks we are establishing good chemistry and are playing with determination.”
After a couple of down seasons, St. Cloud has turned its program over to Bill O’Boyle, who has 12 years of coaching experience at both the college and high school levels. The Lady Bulldogs top returning players include setter Abigail Rivas (337 assists), defensive specialist Samantha Fernandez, outside hitter Tessa Rojas (238 kills) and sophomore Shaelyn Ponzini (163 kills).
“We have a lot of new faces on this team, as well as some returning veterans,” O’Boyle noted. “We are excited about the possibilities.”
Harmony went 12-12 last year and earned a 7A wildcard playoff spot. Coach Ryan Kading continues to build a solid overall program with the Longhorns (his boys volleyball team went 21-4, won a district championship and advanced to states for the first time). He welcomes back starters Kelsey White (middle block, 60 kills) and Macarena Quezada (libero, 170 digs, 58 aces). Senior Samantha Vickers, who missed all last season with an injury, will provide a big boost at outside hitter.
Mia Ferri (OH), Emerson Rockne (MB) and Amerie Alvardo (OH) come up from junior varsity and will be factors in the Harmony lineup.
“As the season begins, we are a puzzle that needs to be pieced together,” Kading said. “We are a senior dominated team with high expectations and want to compete for OBC and District championships.”
First year Celebration coach Chase Fitzgerald will rely on returning outside hitters Aline Mello (143 kills) and Kristina Petrikas (106) and senior setter Heloisa Kuyumdjian Mann to form the core of his 2026 team. Newcomers Adriana Sebastiani (setter) and Maria Aldana Rincon (defensive specialist) move into the starting lineup for a Storm team that went 9-15 last year.
First year coach Katanna Linn will rely on senior hitter Jasmine Estevez, sophomore libero Galielea Cruz and junior hitter Kayla Oyolo as she hopes to build some momentum for Liberty (7-11 last season). Tohopekaliga will count on senior captains Stacey Raybuck (MB) and Alahana Pazos (L), as they attempt to improve on last year’s 8-14 mark; while Poinciana returns senior Jocelyn Salgado (124 digs).
Sophomores Malia Moore (OH) and Amanda Warner (L) were named team captains as Coach Jamie Moore will navigate the Nova Lakes Rattlers through their first season of varsity competition in 2026.
2026 County Volleyball Classifications:
Class 6A, District 7: Celebration, Harmony, Poinciana, Tohopekaliga, St. Cloud, Cypress Creek, Freedom
Class 5A, District 6: Osceola, Gateway, Lake Buena Vista, Lake Minneola, Lake Weir, Oak Ridge, South Lake, South Marion
Class 3A, District 6: Liberty, Nova Lakes, Four Corners Charter, Discovery, Atlantic, Lake Highland Prep, Montverde Academy, Tenoroc
Class 2A, District 6: Mater Academy, New Dimensions, Foundation Acad., Davenport Ridgeview, Sante Fe Catholic, Windermere Prep
Class 1A, District 8: City of Life, Brevard HEAT, Calvary Chapel, Florida Prep, Vero Beach Masters, Merritt Island Chr., Vero Beach St. Edwards
