Lake Mary Prep ends Gibbons’ run in state semifinal match

Despite dominating local teams throughout the postseason, Seminole County powerhouse Lake Mary Prep proved to be too much for Cardinal Gibbons’ boys volleyball team to handle in the state semifinals Saturday night.

The Chiefs (23-8) fell 3-1 to the eventual state runner-up Rams (24-5) in the FHSAA state volleyball championship at Golden Gate High School in Naples.

Cardinal Gibbons, in its first state semifinal appearance since 2006, looked poised to make quick work of the Rams, taking the first set 25-10. But the Chiefs’ success was short-lived as the momentum shifted.

After dropping the first set, the Rams rallied, coming from behind to take the final three sets 25-18, 25-17 and 25-19, ending the Chiefs’ surprise postseason run.

Senior outside hitter Mark Cataldo led the Chiefs’ offensive efforts, posting 13 kills, four service points, one assist and a dig.

In his first year with the Chiefs, junior setter Ethan Shinn shined throughout the state tournament. Shinn, a top national prospect who transferred from Mira Costa High School in California at the beginning of the year, had 39 assists, two blocks and five digs in Cardinal Gibbons’ quarterfinal upset over undefeated Boca Raton. He went on to add four service points, two kills and 25 of the Chiefs’ 26 assists against Lake Mary.

One of the nation’s top middle blocker recruits, junior JT Martin faded in the semifinal despite dominating the court all season. Martin, who has struggled with an ankle injury for over a month, led the Chiefs with 368 kills and 119 blocks this season, but quietly added four service points and five kills against Lake Mary to close out the season.

In Friday’s state quarterfinals, Lake Mary downed South Broward (21-5) in straight sets, winning 25-20, 25-11, 25-23. Senior Outside hitter Alex Sands led the Bulldogs with 11 kills, three service points and three digs, while senior setter Nico Torres added 20 assists, three digs and three service points.

Despite reaching the state semifinals last season, Suncoast (12-12) couldn’t hit the same mark this season, falling 25-21, 25-23, 19-25 and 25-22 to Miami Killian on Friday night. Junior setter Zach Cascio and senior outside hitter Ethan Fogt led the Chargers with 39 assists and 22 kills, respectively.