32 years later, STA coach enjoys teaching athletes
After 32 years, 822 wins and 169 losses at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Lisa Zielinski still gets a thrill out of coaching girls’ volleyball.
It helps that the Raiders have won six state titles during her tenure.
Prior to her arrival, the Raiders had never won even so much as a district championship in girls’ volleyball.
“I love the kids,” said Zielinski, who also coached for three years in New York before arriving at Aquinas. “I love coaching. It’s not just the games. I love practice, too.
“We have great kids who want to be coached. Seeing that, it just makes you want to work even harder for them.”
Zielinski, who is also the supervising dean of students at Aquinas, is not at all coasting in this her fourth decade with the Raiders. In fact, of her six state titles, four have come within the past decade — 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
This year, the Raiders are led by 6-2 junior Zy’Aire Barr, who has recruiting interest from Villanova and Illinois State.
“She has a heavy arm,” Zielinski said. “She works super hard, and she’s difficult to defend.”
The Raiders’ senior class includes 6-1 opposite hitter Meredith Dixon, who has committed to New Hampshire; 6-2 senior middle blocker Kaylin Hubbard; who has committed to Liberty; and 5-7 libero Alyssa McBean, who topped the team last year in digs (156) aces (28).
“Alyssa is very calm under pressure,” Zielinski said. “She’s been a starter for us since midway through her sophomore year.”
The Raiders run a 6-2 offense with dual setters: 5-6 senior Reese Flores, who led the team last year with 84 assists; and 5-5 senior Liah Perez, who was second in assists (79).
The Raiders’ depth includes 5-10 junior Lauren Purnell, 6-0 sophomore Zoe Taylor; 5-11 freshman Zori Brown; 5-10 freshman Mikayla Porter; and 5-8 freshman Malia Brooks.
In summary, the Raiders are loaded.
“We have size, experience and physicality,” Zielinski said. “We have talent and depth. We just have to stay healthy.”
GIBBONS MACHINE
Of Florida’s top 10 alltime state title streaks, three of them are held by Cardinal Gibbons, which won six in a row in the 1980s and five in a row in the 1970s and 1990s.
Overall, Gibbons has a Florida-record 20 state titles, including two this decade (2010 and 2015).
Last year, Gibbons came close, losing in the Class 4A final to Jacksonville’s Bishop Kenny in four sets.
Gibbons, with a Floridarecord 45 appearances in the state tournament, will be a threat again this year, returning six of seven starters.
The three senior starters are 5-10 outside hitter Dylan Andrews; 6-0 senior Amanda Mishkin; and 5-4 libero Bailey Gilman.
Gibbons also returns 6-0 junior outside hitter Jessica Cinci, 5-11 sophomore outside hitter Fabiana Capone and 5-11 sophomore middle blocker Emma O’Keeffe.
“Unfortunately, we graduated our setter [Valeria Lozada], our captain and the person who put it all together,” Gibbons coach Kathryn Reeber said. “We’re trying a few girls [at setter] to see who fits.”
THIS AND THAT
A Archbishop McCarthy returns four starters from the team that made it to the 2020 Class 5A regional semifinals: 5-8 junior outside hitter Celimar Hoyos; 5-11 senior outside hitter Annika Castellano; 5-5 senior libero Perla Rosa; and 5-8 senior setter Alyssa Lindo. Hoyos, Castellano and Rosa all made firstteam all-county last year, when McCarthy lost in five sets to the eventual state runner-up.
A West Broward, coached by Allison Edens, should be a force this year in Class
7A. The team is led by Isa Marquez, a 5-7 senior outside hitter with power and defensive skills. Katelyn Varon, a 5-6 senior libero, is a team leader in the back row. And Nikki Ponce, a 5-6 sophomore, has claimed the starting setter job with her intelligent play.
A Douglas and Cypress Bay are two other talented teams in Class 7A. Other teams to watch include 2020 regional semifinalists Pine Crest in 4A and Chaminade (3A).
A North Broward Prep is led by 6-2 sophomore middle blocker Adrianna Bridges.
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WE HAVE GREAT KIDS WHO WANT TO BE COACHED. SEEING THAT, IT JUST MAKES YOU WANT TO WORK EVEN HARDER FOR THEM. Lisa Zielinski