Miller sisters anchor Foundation Academy volleyball

WINTER GARDEN — Things weren’t looking too good.

Facing the Apopka Blue Darters, a Class 8A program ranked among the top-five programs in Central Florida in polls by both the Orlando Sentinel and BrightHouse Sports Network, Foundation Academy had forced a deciding fifth set in the Oct. 9 contest.

But the make-or-break set to 15 didn’t get off to the greatest start for the Lions, who compete in Class 2A, as they found themselves trailing 13-6 with the Blue Darters on the cusp of escaping with a win.

Foundation head coach Danny Eleutiza called a timeout, though, and whatever he said must have had a profound effect on his team — especially sisters Megan and Lauren Miller — as they keyed a 10-1 run that elevated the Lions past Apopka for the 3-2 victory (25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 25-10, 16-14).

The come-from-behind upset very well could be a turning point for a program that is seeking a berth in its third consecutive FHSAA Class 2A Final. Already, it was the first of four consecutive wins, a streak that came to an end with a tough loss to Lake Highland Prep on Saturday evening.

After some significant turnover in the offseason, with several girls from the 2013 team having graduated, this season has been a work in progress for Foundation Academy (16-7).

“(They showed) heart — something they haven’t shown me all year,” Eleutiza said, reflecting on the big win. “It’s unbelievable: They came in, and they didn’t want to lose.”

With several newcomers on the roster this fall, Eleutiza has relied heavily on the Miller sisters — leaders on the team for the past three seasons. It is a responsibility they have embraced.

“It’s one thing (being leaders) we focused on,” said Megan Miller, a senior setter for the Lions. “Danny met with Lauren and I before the season and told us what he expected for us.”

For Eleutiza, the skill the two girls have on the court — Megan had 29 assists in the win over Apopka, and Lauren had 13 kills — is matched in importance by that leadership.

“Lauren has become an outspoken leader; she didn’t talk at all last year, but this year has been completely different,” Eleutiza said of the sophomore outside hitter. “Megan’s leadership is amazing — Megan is my captain, my leader, she holds this team together. When Megan makes the right decisions on the court, we’re unstoppable.”

The district tournament for Class 2A District 4 will be held at Legacy Charter; play begins Oct. 20. The championship for the district tournament is schedule for 6 p.m. Oct. 23.

Twice the runner-up in the state championship, it will be no easy task for the Lions to return to the final game of the season. In their favor, however, are two talented sisters — one of whom is hoping to send her older sister out on top.

“It’s fun (playing with Megan), especially because she’s a senior, so it’s my last year I get to play with her and spend time with her,” Lauren said, adding that winning a state title in Megan’s final year “would be really special.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].