West Orange volleyball ends run in regional final -- Observer Preps

WINTER GARDEN For a second straight season the West Orange girls volleyball team advanced to the regional finals of the state volleyball tournament and, for a second consecutive season, the Warriors saw their season ended by a powerhouse from Seminole County.

Where it was eventual-state champion Winter Springs that beat West Orange in 2015, it was Oviedo this time around.

The Lions (25-3) swept the Warriors (23-3): 25-16, 25-21, 25-23.

Afterward, West Orange coach Ross Usie said he tried to instill in his team that one bad night did not offset another strong season for the program.

“All around, I think they wish they would have played a little bit better, but I told them ‘Oviedo is a good team … don’t judge our season on this one loss,’” Usie said. “Just because we didn’t make it to the big show, doesn’t mean we didn’t do well.”

Makala Heidelberg had 13 kills and nine digs for the Warriors and Ava Czyzewski added five kills and three blocks.

Two of Central Florida's best throughout the fall, both teams feature dynamic lineups anchored by underclassmen. A dominant first set from the Lions, though, created momentum that West Orange was unable to offset.

The Warriors will graduate two seniors from this season's roster: Cassidy Chorney and Katerina Murray. The team also may stand to lose any freshmen or sophomores who are zoned for Windermere High, which will open next fall. Otherwise, Usie and his staff will look to get his program back to this point in 2017 — and perhaps a game or two further.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].