Horizon boys volleyball wins regional championship, eyes Final Four

Heading into the Class 3A, Region 2 Championship game against Freedom High Friday, May 8, Horizon High’s boys volleyball team knew it would be a challenge. The Hawks already had beaten Freedom twice this season. Doing it a third time meant the players had their work cut out for them. 

After going down 2-1 sets, the Hawks rallied back together to take the fourth set 25-21 and the fifth 15-10, claiming the Regional Champion crown in back-to-back years.

“Our boys have worked so hard and again, their close bond is what brings them into these (situations) where matches get a little tight and they really, rally around (one another),” head coach Kristen Caleo said. “They really do that and they support (one another), and that’s what’s been able to bring us through each time.” 

Horizon (26-3) now is prepping for its Class 3A State Championship Semifinal game against Lake Brantley (26-3) Thursday, May 14, at Polk State College. The Hawks program, which only has existed for five years, is two wins away from a state title. The team made it to the Final Four last season but lost. 

The teams saw each other twice earlier this season. Horizon claimed the first match 2-0, then Lake Brantley handed the Hawks their first loss of the season Wednesday, March 25, after beginning it 12-0. In that loss, Horizon’s players’ biggest struggle was playing a selfish game and staying out of their heads. 

But having the midseason struggle helped to prepare the team for its postseason run. Through regionals, Horizon won the quarterfinals over Lake Nona 3-1, then semifinals 3-1 over Harmony and never allowed faltering one set to be a mental block. 

Caleo said the team’s preparation for the biggest stage in Florida won’t be focused on the playing talent but rather how to overcome the mental hurdles and enter the game prepared to leave everything out on the court. She said it begins from the players who don’t start. Those guys rally around the ones playing, talking through certain movements and corrections or what to look for from the opponent’s attack and serve. 

“It becomes a team effort,” Caleo said. “So they feel supported and they feel like they’re not just crumbling with no support. Our whole team has really stepped up and picked (one another) up and really just kind of push them to get through those moments and really be able to regroup and refocus and go again.” 

The players not only find support through one another but also the administration, their families and the students who have been there through the whole journey. 

Those fans will travel to Polk State for Horizon’s 4 p.m. Final Four game. If the Hawks win, they will play for the state championship Saturday, May 16. 

Caleo, who’s in her first year ever coaching boys volleyball, said reaching the state stage feels “surreal.” 

“Their success and their time together has made my time more special,” she said.  “I’m just blessed to be able to share that with them. … I will do anything for them and I want it to be their biggest celebration ever.”