Celebration built for success
Addition from Puerto Rico adds to Storm
The Celebration boys volleyball program has only been in existence for five years and has never advanced beyond its district tournament.
Yet, here it is with a 22-1 record and No. 1 ranking in the Sentinel Super 6 heading into postseason play tonight.
“This season has been in the making the past three years,” said Storm head coach Pedro Davila, who shows no surprise in seeing Celebration’s meteoric rise from startup to state contender.
Davila credits the success to playing year-round for his club team, the Toreros Volleyball Academy in Celebration, and the process was certainly expedited with the arrival of Johansen Negron.
Negron, a native of Puerto Rico, came to Celebration this school year in the aftermath of the hurricanes that hit the island. He leads the team in kills (207) and aces (63) and is second in digs (129).
“[Negron] gives us a little bit of an edge, and as the only senior in the starting lineup, his experience helps a lot,” Davila said. “I would be lying if I said we didn’t hit the lottery with Johansen.”
In addition to Negron, juniors Carlos Adrian Mercado, Carlos Gabriel Mercado, Gabriel Pantoja and Christopher Rivera; and sophomores Imanol Davila-Morales and Alejandro Hernandez compete in the high-performance USA national program.
The Storm’s one loss came against defending state champion Miami Killian in the Smoothie King Tournament. Celebration pushed the Cougars to a third set and an 11-11 tie in that final game before falling 25-22, 18-25, 15-11.
“I think in a best-of-five, we would have the advantage because we have a deeper lineup,” Davila said. “Yes, we’re one of a few favorites, but we need to stay grounded and work hard for it.”
Celebration hosts the District 3 tournament as the No. 1 seed. Tampa Bay HEAT (19-5) is the two seed.
Freedom, the District 3 champ and a final four team last year, was moved to District 2 alongside Lake Nona, setting up a very competitive bracket. Timber Creek (23-4) faces Lake Nona (12-2), a team that took them to five sets earlier in the year. Topseeded Freedom (24-3) plays Cypress Creek (15-3) today at 7 p.m.
Dr. Phillips (19-7) has played the top team in District 4, Bishop Moore (25-2), close, with the Hornets prevailing 2-1 and 3-2.
Lake Mary (22-2) is a heavy favorite in District 1 ahead of Lyman (16-7).
The area Super Six rankings heading into the playoffs.
The Storm have dropped only 5 sets all year. Senior Johansen Negron leads the area’s top team.
The Patriots are 11-0 at home this year, giving them the advantage as they host a very competitive District 2 tournament.
The Wolves are riding a 10-game win streak that includes wins against Lake Mary and Bishop Moore.
Last year’s state runner-up returned four starters and is in good position for another deep run.
The Hornets were rolling until Timber Creek upended them in their own Spring Sting tournament final.
The Panthers nearly upset Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, the top-ranked team in Florida, before losing 25-16, 23-25, 16-14.