- July 22, 2026
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Dr. Phillips Little League now is known as Team Florida.
The league’s Senior All-Star softball team became the first DPLL softball team to win states by sweeping the tournament Saturday, July 11.
And now, as Team Florida, the squad will represent Florida in the Southeast Region Tournament Friday, July 24, to Monday, July 27, in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Abby Edwards, a Senior All-Star player, is excited to take their game on the road.
“(In) my years playing Little League, we’ve gone to these tournaments and we’ve played — but not at the level that we’re playing right now, so it’s really cool to compete and get to travel for this experience,” she said.
And incredibly, the DP All-Stars aren’t alone.
Just one weekend later, DPLL’s 11U All-Star softball team did the same. The 11U team also won its state tournament Sunday, July 19, and will play the following weekend.
Their combined success makes this 2026 season one to remember.
The Dr. Phillips community rejoiced as friends, family and the Orlando Dreamers came together Monday, July 20, to celebrate the Senior All-Star team before it departed for a game against West Virginia at 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 24.
“We started with a goal and a lot of uncertainty, and tonight we’re celebrating something that nobody can take away from you,” Team Manager Michael Roy said to the players. “You guys are the Florida State champions.”
Roy reminded them they didn’t win the title with one big play. Instead, he attributed it to the grind — the early workouts, the long practices in the Florida heat and all the extra swings and reps.
“The trust that you’ve done to pick each other up, and the errors and the slumps, and through the tough losses — that’s how we achieve this,” he said. “State-championship teams — they’re not built on talent alone. It’s based on accountability and effort and the love for the girl next to you. That’s exactly what this group is.”
Dayana Jovet said the team’s ability to communicate throughout the games set it apart. Any time one player had an error, the others would work to keep her spirits up.
DPLL Secretary Bobby Vereb said baseball and softball are games of failure, and success comes to the teams that can overcome and respond.
“It’s incredible to see the resilience and the mental temperature that they put in and the work that they put in as far as getting ready for the game,” Vereb said.
Outside of the All-Stars, the girls — who play for Dr. Phillips, Olympia, Lake Buena Vista, The First Academy and others — often are opponents. However, although the All-Star team only has been playing together since May 15, the players bonded quickly. Team activities helped foster that camaraderie. Keira Bullion particularly enjoyed pickleball because it gave everyone a chance to try an unfamiliar sport.
Roy also has played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
“He challenges us in the sense that he’s not going to let us settle,” Allison Curtis said. “He’s always going to expect more from us, but in the best way to rise to a higher standard that he knows we can reach.”
While DP Senior All-Star team already is packed up and ready to head to Tennessee, the 11U team still is processing its win that took place fewer than 24 hours before DPLL’s Senior team send-off.
Avery Graff said saying she and her teammates now are Team Florida almost doesn’t feel real.
After their win, the players dumped the water bucket on their coach, Sunisa Arundakul threw her glove to the sky, and the entire team screamed in joy together.
“We won because our pitcher struck out our last batter,” Kileigh Kirkley said. “It was very crazy. I was so surprised, and I’ve never been to a national regionals before, so I was very excited. A few girls were crying, but it was really an exciting moment for me. This team went very far.”
She said it means a lot to her to be able to represent the league at an even higher level, and the team will continue to work hard in its many practices leading up to Tennessee.
“That’s a very special group,” Vereb said. “They are a very competitive group, as well, so not only do they play Little League together, I know that a lot of them are on some club teams competing outside of Little League.”
Both of the teams’ stories can be followed through ESPN’s broadcast of the regional tournament games.
“When you have people (who) compete at high levels, you have a chance to really fight or flight, and they’re all in fight mode,” Vereb said. “I think they’re getting confidence through this. … They’re getting into that competitive spirit where they’re taking this step-by-step and day-by-day and nothing for granted, but they are feeling the right to compete at this level.”
