2015 Varsity Volleyball Preview

CFCA Eagles

Class 2A, District 6

HEAD COACH: Stacy Osborne

2014 RECORD: 10-10

PLAYER TO WATCH: Stephanie Campos, libero (Sr.)

OUTLOOK: In the first year under coach Stacy Osborne, the Eagles will benefit from competing in a district that no longer has Foundation Academy or Legacy Charter, which both moved up to Class 3A.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 8 vs. Legacy Charter; Sept. 29 vs. Geneva; Oct. 1 at ICS

QUOTABLE:

“We’ve got four new players and they’re a great addition to the team. … Our defense is very good so I think that’s something that other teams do not have.”

Stephanie Campos, senior

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Dr. Phillips Panthers

Class 8A, District 5

HEAD COACH: Lindsey Carter

2014 RECORD: 14-14; made state playoffs in Class 8A

Players to watch: Morgan Grillier, outside hitter (So.); Rachel Scime, middle back (Sr.); Sabrina Scime, right side (Sr.); Tiane Kong, right side (Sr.)

OUTLOOK: A senior-laden team with some talented underclassmen figures to battle with rival Olympia for the district crown. After the departure of Rachel Sawyer to graduation, Dr. Phillips is lacking a true star, but will bring a by-committee approach to games against stiffer competition.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 15 at Olympia; Sept. 30 vs. Boone

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Foundation Academy Lions 

Class 3A, District 5

HEAD COACH: Danny Eleutiza

2014 RECORD: 19-6; won district and advanced to regional semifinals in Class 2A playoffs

Players to watch: Elyssa Stimell, middle (Sr.); Adriana Jessup, libero (Jr.); Christina Rubaumgh, setter (Jr.)

OUTLOOK: After a few departures due to graduation and transfers, coach Danny Eleutiza will rely on veteran players to lead the Lions as they make the transition from Class 2A — where they advanced to the state championship game twice — to Class 3A.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 15 vs. Orangewood Christian; Oct. 6 vs. Lake Highland Prep; Oct. 13 vs. Lake Minneola

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Legacy Charter Eagles

Class 3A, District 5

HEAD COACH: Larry Kimpel

2014 RECORD: 12-12; made state playoffs in Class 2A for first time

Players to watch: Chloe Guy, outside hitter; Victoria Roebke, right side; Maddison Barnett, middle hitter; Cortni Vees, setter

OUTLOOK: The Eagles are improved in 2015, having built upon the foundation they laid in their breakout 2014 season. Kimpel said more of his girls played club volleyball in the offseason and, although it will be a tall task, Legacy cannot be ruled out as a dark-horse playoff contender.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES:  Mt. Dora Christian, Merritt Island Christian, Masters Academy and Ocoee High School. 

QUOTABLE:

“Although we have been moved up to 3A and the level of competition will pick up a bit, the girls are very excited and ready to get the season rolling. … It will be a major challenge for us to be district runner-up again but, I do have the girls in two big tournaments in the Tampa area to help get us ready.”

Larry Kimpel, coach

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Ocoee Knights

Class 7A, District 5

HEAD COACH: Cathy Edwards-Lee

2014 RECORD: 11-12

Players to watch: Katy Kauffman, Morgan Farley, Kaila Baker, Alex Puchan

OUTLOOK: With a new-look district in 2015, coach Cathy Edwards-Lee and her Knights believe they have a shot at the state playoffs in Class 7A. Ocoee has talent but will need to improve its consistency to contend and surprise some people.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 3 vs. Lake Howell; Sept. 24 vs. East Ridge; Sept. 29 vs. West Orange

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Olympia Titans

Class 8A, District 5

HEAD COACH: Mitch Sadowsky

2014 RECORD: 10-16

Players to watch: Lorissa King, setter (Sr.); Gabby Nye, middle (So.); Alix Polk, outside hitter (So.)

OUTLOOK: With just two seniors on the roster this fall, Olympia is a young team, and veteran coach Mitch Sadowsky views this season as an “all-hands-on-deck” occasion. With a core of solid, capable players but no true star, the Titans are going to look to be a balanced, well-rounded team this fall that will compete with Dr. Phillips for a district championship.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 15 vs. Dr. Phillips; Oct. 1 vs. West Orange; Oct. 14 vs. Boone

QUOTABLE:

“We don’t really have a hammer. We’ve got to really spread the wealth around a little bit. We’ve got a phenomenal setter. … We can’t get into an outside battle — we’re going to have to spread the ball around and get a lot to our middles. The more balanced an offense we are, the better we’re going to be.” Mitch Sadowsky, coach

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West Orange Warriors

Class 8A, District 3

HEAD COACH: Ross Usie

2014 RECORD: 22-9; district champions and won first playoff game  in program history

Players to watch: Makala Heidelberg, outside hitter (So.); Lauren Miller, outside hitter (Jr.); Ava Czyzewski, rightside hitter (Fr.)

OUTLOOK: The Warriors are embracing the challenge of following up the program’s best season to date. West Orange has a balance of upperclass leaders with underclass standouts. Conversely, the Warriors can expect to sneak up on no one in 2015 and likely will find themselves battling with Apopka for the district.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES:  Sept. 10 at Apopka; Sept. 23 vs. The First Academy; Oct. 6 vs. Boone

QUOTABLE:

“I think this year is going to be even better than it was last year, with our young talent. Every girl we have playing this year either played on the ones or twos team with their club. … Everyone has a lot of club experience.”

Stephanie Garner, senior

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Windermere Prep

Class 3A District 5

HEAD COACH: Diego Serpa

Players to watch: Alex Lennon, Peyton Warp, Riley Nowicki, Isabella Teixeira

OUTLOOK: The Lakers had a season of improvement in 2014 and now, with a young core, feel like they can take another step forward in 2015.

CAN’T-MISS MATCHES: Sept. 9 vs. Forest Lake Academy; Sept. 15 at Lake Mary Prep; Oct. 1 at Orangewood Christian

QUOTABLE:

“We have a large underclassmen group … they are extremely competitive and talented athletes, so it will be a great year of growth for us as a team.” — Diego Serpa, coach

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VOLLEYBALL DISTRICTS

Class 8A, District 3

Apopka

Evans

West Orange

Wekiva

Class 8A, District 5

Cypress Creek

Dr. Phillips

Freedom

Oak Ridge

Olympia

Class 7A, District 5

East Ridge

East River

Lake Howell

Lake Minneola

Ocoee

Class 3A, District 5

Foundation Academy 

Lake Mary Prep

​Legacy Charter

Orangewood Christian 

Windermere Prep

Class 2A, District 6

CFCA

Central Florida Prep

Geneva

International Community

Orlando Christian Prep

​Pine Castle Christian