The late, great Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips famously lamented one time about trying to win a championship. Paraphrasing he said “Two years ago, we got to the door. Last year we were knocking on it and this year we’re going to kick the (bleep) thing down.”
Osceola team has been pounding on the FHSAA state tournament door for three years and Coach Carrie Palmi, with a group of talented seniors, would like nothing more than to kick that door down this season.
“We’ve made two Final Fours and a regional final the last three years,” Palmi, who begins her 21st season with the Kowboys. “We’ve played great competition and have had a lot of success but have come up just short. There’s no question we have the talent to get there, but there are so many other great teams in our classification, we need to be just a little bit better than we have been.”
This group of seniors has compiled an 80-17 record and won OBC and districts three times each and two regional championships. But they’re 0-2 at the Final Four.
Ohs is again Class 7A elite, and Palmi is optimistic. Eight players from last year’s 26-5 team are back this season. They include three-time News-Gazette Player of the Year and University of South Florida commit Cate Palmi, Carrie’s daughter. She’s coming off an incredible season where she led the teams in kills (436), kill percentage (54.6%), total attacks (798), and hitting percentage (42.4%). A solid server, she was second in aces (69) and was also second in total digs (245).
Key on Palmi, and there’s another Division I prospect on the opposite side in Jordan Southall. The Vanderbilt commit put up 359 kills and senior Sophie Spivey added 152 kills was also an allcounty selection.
Junior 6-4 middle blocker Brooklyn Sippio became a force to be reckoned with, with 142 kills and a team-high 87 blocks. Mikayla Mathews also returns in the middle.
“I think our depth is what will make us a tough out this year,” Cate Palmi said. “We are going to be a hard team to defend because you can’t concentrate on one or two players. We can attack from anywhere on the court, our opponents will need to defend everyone.”
Libero Dari Bravo joins newcomer Priscilla Rada, a transfer from Southland Christian, on the back line. The only real hole Coach Palmi had to fill was setter, where Andrea Rodriguez graduated with 1,200 assists. Plug in Delaney Webb, who saw significant playing time in two years.
Still, it will not be an easy ride as Class 7A is loaded with talented powerhouses—like Tampa Plant, Winter Park, DeLand, Lake Brantley and Hagerty.
“We have the talent, desire and chemistry to accomplish that,” Coach Palmi said. “But there are several other teams that can say the same thing.”
After tournament that featured numerous nationally ranked teams this past weekend, Osceola is 6-3 thus far.
Elsewhere in the county: Coach Lidvani Paiva begins her second year at Celebration (7-10 last year). The Storm return senior libero Valeria Maldonaldo (350 digs, 20 aces), hitter/blocker Aline Mello (150 kills), and setters Allyson Witt and Hailey Gomez (700 combined assists).
“We are in the process of building a program,” Paiva said. “Our success will come from our commitment to growth, mental toughness, and playing with relentless energy. Our goals this year are to improve our standing in districts, foster teamwork and make a strong push to the post-season.” (Current record 1-3)
Gateway, off to a 4-0 start, won a regional playoff game last year. Top returning players for coach Heidi Lizardi include junior outside hitters Ivana Reyes and Leslian Rivera and sophomore libero Leymarie Prado.
“This team has put in a lot of hard work during the summer, so hopefully that will carry into the season.” Lizardi said. “Some goals we hope to accomplish include keeping this team as united as they are right now, and if those happen, the wins will follow.”
Harmony Coach Ryan Kading is in his fourth year; last year included a regional at-large bid. Samantha Vickers (149 kills, 25 digs) and setter Nora Dunn (223 assists, 18 aces) return, and veteran Leomani Almonte moves to the outside. Freshman Eliana Mukoie has looked promising at middle blocker.
“It will take a solid effort, but our goal is to get back to the state tournament this year,” Kading says. “By being productive and efficient on the court we can envision that path to get back.”
Tohopekaliga Coach Carlos Diaz welcomes back a squad with ample senior leadership, including a defensive specialists Victoria Perez and Camila Morales and outside hitters Hadasa Canales and Jazmin Dileo.
“We are trying to build a culture of discipline and accountability using our seniors as role models to follow, especially for new players,” Diaz said. (Current Record: 0-2)
Andrew Nation is in his first season with Poinciana and hopes bring the first winning season since 2018. He will rely on Khia Pereira (S), Rousfrengely Cruz (OH), and Mariana Florido (MB) to provide senior leadership.
“A contributing factor in Poinciana becoming an ‘A’ school has been the commitment of the coaches from all sports to put a heavy focus on academics and character. Our ultimate goal is to win the school’s first district championship but our immediate goal is to compete in every match.” (Current Record: 1-4)
St. Cloud tabbed veteran coach Bill O’Boyle to lead the program. The Lady Bulldogs return a veteran squad, including seniors Trinity Lopez (OH), Isabella Rodriguez (DS/L), Kiara Perez (DS/L), Leah Arias (MB/OPP), and Amanda Cruz (DS/L). Juniors Abigail Rivas (S), Tessa Rojas (OH) and Samantha Fernandez (DS) should also be contributors.
“We’re pretty excited to see what the upcoming season brings,” O’Boyle said. “We had a lot of returning players that have valuable experience and some newcomers who should contribute.” (Current Record: 3-1)
Second-year Liberty coach Amanda Lozada-Rivera returns sophomore captain Didielis Negron-Palomares (OH), Mercy Valentin (Sr.,/ OH), and sophomore middle blocker Morgan Ocasio.
“This season marks an exciting, fresh start for Liberty. We have 13 dedicated student athletes who are embracing this as a tremendous opportunity to reset, develop talent, and build something special together. Our focus this year is on growth and development—improving our performance game by game while fostering strong team chemistry,” Lozada-Rivera said. (Current Record 1-2)
Led by freshman standout Malia Moore, dynamic eighth graders Victoria Rosa Eiana Gaudiosi, and junior setter Lia Hernandez, City of Life Coach Jamie Moore hopes to capture the team’s first district championship in more than a decade. “We are off to a great start, but we are so young. It’s definitely going to be a learning process with ups and downs. But the girls have great chemistry and they’re hungry to be the best they can.” (Current Record: 8-1).
Coming off a solid 19-4 campaign, veteran Heritage Christian coach Jim returns a solid team with Madi Stealy (OH), Veronica Padron (Libero) and Elisamar Quinones (Setter). The Eagles have nine Florida Christian Conference state titles and should contend again.
“Our primary goal is to not only compete with excellence but to represent Heritage Christian with integrity, discipline. As the season begins, the volleyball team is ready to play hard, grow together, and shine as a witness for Christ in the community,” Estrella says. (Current record 9-0)
