Local seniors among nation’s elite volleyball talents
South Florida has had elite players sign with national powerhouse men’s volleyball programs before.
But it’s rare when two are in the area in the same year and as dominant as Cardinal
Gibbons’ Thiago Zamprogno and Columbus’ Ignacio Brito.
Brito, a 6-4 senior outside hitter and a member of the Puerto Rican Under-19 national team, recently signed with Stanford University.
Zamprogno, a 6-7 middle hitter, has long been committed to UCLA and has been a force for one of the state’s perennial state title contenders.
Both players return this season as two of the most dominant in recent memory and hoping to lead their respective squads to state titles.
Brito, who had 311 kills and 40 aces last season on his way to earning first team All-Dade honors, will try to elevate Columbus to its first state tournament appearance since 2016.
“Watching Ignacio play is a thrilling experience,” Stanford coach John Kosty said in a press release posted by the school after it announced its signing class. “You tend to hover around his court to see what spectacular thing he will do next.”
Zamprogno returns as the heart of one of the best offensive attacks in the state as he and senior outside hitter Logan Keovathy, a Loyola University signee, hope to lead Gibbons back to the state tournament.
It’s been five years since a South Florida boys’ volleyball team has brought home a state championship with Cardinal Gibbons being the last in 2018.
But with the Chiefs falling in the state semifinals last year, it was the first time a South Florida team did not even reach the final since 2014.
Zamprogno is one of five starting seniors for Gibbons, which will also look to senior outside hitter Daniel Sappia — one of three newcomers — to add scoring punch. The key will be if two new setters, including sophomore Gabriel Nejad, can make it all work.
EAGLES COULD SOAR AGAIN
It’s been 20 years since the Southwest “Bald Eagles” started it all by winning the first state championship for boys’ volleyball the first year it became a state-sanctioned sport.
Since then, the Eagles have been the standard for Miami-Dade County teams, winning two state titles and making more appearances in the state finals (6) than any other county team.
Southwest lost Miami Herald Player of the Year Jack Hershman, who signed to play for St. Francis in Brooklyn.
But the Eagles return a strong core that could lead them back to the state tournament for what would be the fifth consecutive season.
Senior Alejandro Leon is considered by many as one of the best liberos in the state and will be key for the Eagles.
“His athleticism, control and ability to read the game are unparalleled,” Southwest coach Alain Suarez said.
The Eagles are encouraged by what they will be able to add to their attack with the return from injury of sophomore Juan Marco Diaz, who missed all of last season with an injury. Diaz, the son of former longtime Southwest coach Mauricio Diaz, is 5-10 and should add punch to an attack that will also feature 6-2 senior middle Carlos Gancedo and will be coordinated by senior setter Erick Pinzon.
MORE OUTLOOKS
Belen Jesuit (23-7 last season) advanced to the regional finals last season and returns six of seven starters who will be motivated to help the team break through to state. Senior setter Robert Henao leads the veteran group along with seniors Marcelo Morales and Anthony Lamelas. Junior libero Lorenzo Torres is one of the better players in the county at his position.
St. Thomas Aquinas (7-12 last season) is hoping the arrival of coach Felipe “Pepa” Ralat, a former 20-year indoor volleyball pro player and star at IUPUI in the early 1990s, will spark the Raiders to a deep postseason run. Aquinas returns a core group led by senior outside hitter Miles Young, sophomore setter Luke Swadener and senior hitter Kyle Litman. Freshman outside hitter John Virginio leads Aquinas’ underclassmen.
Palmetto (9-10 last season) will try to return to the playoffs this season under new coach Matthew Kanakis. The Panthers will be led by outside hitter Michael Rivera, setter Ronen Dircie (both juniors) and senior libero Jose Ruiz.
Monsignor Pace (9-5 last season) will be led by a strong group of seniors, primarily outside hitters Brandon Valdes and Ranier Velasco.
Terra (10-14 last season) hopes to bring home the school’s first district championship led by an experienced trio of senior outside hitter Jeremy Ferreira, junior Jamel Toste and junior Max Rodriguez — all outside hitters.
Ferguson (17-10 last season) finished a district runner-up last season and might have what it needs to take the next step. Five starters return, led by junior outside hitter Henry Masson, who had 256 kills last year. Senior Ethan Bastos might sign with a college this season as well.
Reagan (13-6 last season) lost 12 seniors from last year’s team, but doesn’t expect to rebuild much as the Bison will be led by senior outside hitter Kevin Gonzalez. Sophomore Eddie Guardado and senior Eduardo Marquez add depth.
True North (5-21 last season) expects a major improvement this season after its players committed to playing during the club season. The Titans beat Palmetto in the preseason and return a strong core led by juniors Christopher Rivero, Daniel Avella, Daniel Artilles, Benjamin Abella and David Quinones.
Ransom Everglades (11-10 last season) returns a senior-heavy group led by 6-2 outside hitter Gabe Alencar, a club player going into his seventh year of playing the sport. Setter Jackson Pegg is a multisport athlete at the school and the Raiders’ football team’s starting quarterback.
St. Brendan (9-16 last season) will try to finish better this season under new coach Daniel Benitz. The Sabres lost first team All-Dade outside hitter Gabriel Maristany, but will look to junior Lucas Ramos and senior Dante Perez to fill that void.
Sunset (6-15 last season) will be rebuilding this year after losing seven of its nine players from last year’s roster. The Knights will be led by seniors Angel Salas, a 5-8 setter, and Justin Gordon, a 6-3 middle hitter.
Colonial Christian (13-3 last season) will look to build off last year’s success led by eighthgrader Alex Ovalle, senior Gio Morales and sophomore Xavier Gil.