Boca Raton and St. Thomas driven to defend state volleyball titles
Boca Raton High School’s girls' volleyball team has picked up where it left off last season when they won their final 13 games en route to a 24-2 record and the Class 9A state championship.
The Bobcats, who entered this year’s campaign ranked No. 21 nationally by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Volleyball Rankings, are off to a perfect start at 4-0.
“Coming off a State Championship season and carrying so many returning starters carries high expectations,” said first-year coach Brett Sikora, who took over for Amanda Angermeier, who left the school at the end of last season. “We have scheduled a very tough group of teams this season, and are playing in strong tournaments in Venice, and Orlando, as well as being invited to the Nike Invitational out in Phoenix, Arizona.”
Nine players return from last year’s state titlist including four college-committed seniors in Lily Richman (FAU Beach volleyball), Hannah Alfieri (University of Pennsylvania), Tatianna Rivas (Post University) and Vittoria Sottani (Bucknell University).
“Our team this year will rely on a more spread offense, as the two seniors that graduated carried a heavy load,” Sikora said. “The players are working even harder this season as they realize that they have a target on their backs. We have some seniors who will be stepping into bigger roles this season, and their experience at a high level will help make it easier for our younger players who will be asked to contribute immediately as well.”
Three-time defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas showed they are vulnerable as they dropped their first in-state match since 2015 when it fell to Calvary Christian Academy, 25-21, 15-25, 16-25, 30-28, 15-13 last week.
Eagles’ freshman Manaia Rewi had 18 kills, 18 assists, 14 digs and three blocks, while sophomore Maylin Bouffard added 14 kills, 13 digs and two blocks in the Eagles’ win. Before that, the Raiders’ last loss to a Florida team had been Aug. 29, 2015 against Gainesville P.K. Yonge.
St. Thomas returns half of its team from last year, including senior libero Paula Cerame, senior setter Derry Costigan and senior middle Jada Gardner.
With five of six starters back, Coral Springs Charter is hopeful of making a postseason push. The Panthers also picked up a transfer from Taravella in Adriana Bravo.
Cardinal Newman is hoping to build on its 12 wins last year after winning a total of two games the previous two seasons. Junior libero Kayla Neeld will be counted on.
Perennial state power Lake Worth Christian lost Jenna Calhoun to graduation, however they return one of the top players in the county in sophomore Sarah Franklin. She would be joined by senior setter Morgan Shedd and Palm Beach Central transfer Cassie Gregory, also a setter.
“We hope to return to the state final four,” said veteran coach Terri Kaiser. “It may be a tough road in the beginning, but we have a very competitive schedule that will help us be successful in November.”
Cardinal Gibbons, which last won the Class 4A state championship in 2010, has won the most state titles with 19. The Chiefs are led by junior outside hitter Jenna Giaquinto.
Sister-sister acts
Benjamin, which finished as the Class 4A state runner-up last season, is looking for a return trip and has two sets of sisters to lead the way. Senior Katy Blain and sophomore Ellie Blain are back along with senior Emma Lange and sophomore Lauren Lange.
“The girls are looking for a return trip to the state championship, hoping to come out as state champions instead of runners-up,” said Benjamin coach Alex Clarke. “We have a tough schedule this season. We lost four key players from last year’s team, but our returners are determined to make a seamless transition.”
Oxbridge Academy graduated the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Player of the Year in Riley Nieporte (Stetson), but returns her two younger sisters in sophomore Libby and freshman Abby, both outside hitters. The ThunderWolves are also hoping for big things from junior middle blocker Kaylon Smith, who is a star basketball player at the school.
Palm Beach Gardens will rely on Cassie Anderson, a senior libero, who along sister Maddie, helped lead Lake Worth Christian to the Class 2A state title in 2015. Maddie was the 2015 Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A Player of the Year and they both return after playing beach volleyball for a year in California.
More players to watch
Broward: Amanda Allende, ChaminadeMadonna, Jr; Daviya Bernard, Everglades, Sr.; Sarah Ciccone, Coral Springs Christian Academy, Sr.; Sophia Davis, St. Thomas Aquinas, Jr; D’Loren DeJesus, Coral Springs Charter, So.; Kaitlyn Green, Calvary Christian, So.; Kelsey O’Laughlin, St. Thomas Aquinas, Jr; Shari Stenglein, Pine Crest, Sr.; Ramya Welch, Everglades, Sr.
Palm Beach: Kathryn Arendt, St. Andrew’s, Sr.; Sierra Barron, Benjamin, So.; Taylor Burrell, West Boca, Sr.; Kathryn Carter, Jupiter, Jr.; Caroline Cleveland, St. Andrew’s, So.; Madeline Furtado, King’s Academy, Sr.; Marlena Kincaid, Boca Raton Christian, Sr.; Brea McNamara, St. John Paul II, So.; Ava Shmueli, Oxbridge, Jr.; Sydney Visser, Boca Raton Christian, 8th grader.
Key dates
Sept. 8-9: Key West Tournament (Marathon)
Sept. 15-16: Monarch Tournament (Coconut Creek)
Sept. 22-23: C-M Cares Tournament (Chaminade, Archbishop McCarthy)
Sept. 22-23: Park Vista Tournament (Boynton Beach)
Oct. 10-11: BCAA Girls Big 8 Tournament (Pompano Beach)
Oct: 13-14: Smoothie King Tournament (Ransom Everglades)
Oct: 13-14: Palm Beach Classic (TBA)
Oct: 16-20: District Tournaments
TBA: Regional Tournaments TBA: State Tournament Defending champs: Class 9A: Boca Raton. Class 8A: St. Thomas Aquinas. Class 7A: South Fork (Stuart). Class 6A: Bishop Moore (Orlando). Class 5A: Westminster Christian (Miami). Class 4A: First Academy (Orlando). Class 3A: St. Francis (Gainesville). Class 2A: St. John Lutheran (Ocala). Class 1A: Sneads.