Having achieved a strong 18-6 regular-season record, the Seminole Ridge High School boys volleyball team is getting ready for another run at the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A state finals, which will be held in Winter Haven on May 16-17.
The journey to Winter Haven began on Tuesday, April 29, when the Hawks defeated the Wildcats from Royal Palm Beach High School, 3-0, in the District 10 tournament semifinals. That win propelled Seminole Ridge into the district final against Wellington High School on Thursday, May 1. The game against Wellington was a rematch of a regular season encounter on March 20, when Seminole Ridge prevailed (24-26, 27-25, 25-23, 25-13). The results of the district final were not available at press time. Win or lose, Seminole Ridge will receive a bid into the FHSAA’s Class 3A state tournament based on its strong ranking.
When Seminole Ridge plays its regional quarterfinal on Tuesday, May 6, head coach Scott Barnwell will be looking for a continuation of strong on-the-court hustle and teamwork.
“A deep run will consist of us continuing to play as one unit and staying healthy,” said Barnwell, now in his eighth year as the team’s head coach. “Four of my five seniors were on last year’s team that went to states, so they know the importance of teamwork.”
If Seminole Ridge is going to earn its way back to Winter Haven, the Hawks will need strong performances from senior Steve Barnes, senior Carson Kramer, senior Fernando Fernandez, freshman Evan Holowecky and sophomore Michael Deeds. Barnes leads the team in kills per set, kills, serving aces and aces per set. Kramer, Barnes and Deeds have the team’s top-three hitting percentages. Holowecky leads the Hawks in assists, while Fernandez is among the team’s top-three performers in serving aces, aces per set, assists and receptions.
Another strength of Seminole Ridge will be the team’s overall playing experience, as the majority of the team has been playing club volleyball for years, Barnwell noted.
Barnwell is cautiously optimistic that his team will earn another trip to the Class 3A state finals because of the season-long growth shown by team’s youngest members.
“With four sophomores and one freshman, we have matured by practicing hard every day, playing a tough schedule and participating in a very rigorous tournament,” Barnwell said.
Barnwell is also leaning on his three senior captains — Barnes, Kramer and Addison Corey — to provide stability in practices, in games and on the bench during games.
If the Hawks advance to the Class 3A state finals, set for May 16-17 at the Winter Haven Health Center on the campus of Polk State College, they will need two more victories to become the second boys volleyball team in school history, joining the 2011 team coached by Austin Clubb, to win a state championship.
The King’s Academy — TKA’s boys varsity volleyball team, led by head coach Danielle McCoy, compiled an impressive 15-5 regular-season record and earned the top seed in its local FHSAA Class 1A, District 6 tournament. The Lions played Morningside Academy in their district tournament semifinal match on Tuesday, April 29, and prevailed in straight sets.
That win pitted TKA against Atlantic Christian in the district tournament final on May 1. The two teams met on April 11 during the regular season. In that game, the Lions prevailed in straight sets. The result of the district tournament final was not available at press time.
As the top-seeded Class 1A team in Florida, the Lions are expected to be rewarded with the No. 1 seed in its region for the upcoming FHSAA Class 1A boys volleyball state tournament. If the Lions can win all three of their regional games, they will earn a berth in the state finals, which will be contested at the Winter Haven Health Center in mid-May. The two state semifinals will be Thursday, May 15 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The state championship game will be Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m.
Statistically speaking, the Lions are led by Isaiah McCoy, who is the team leader in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage and total blocks. Ryan Huff leads the Lions in digs, serving aces and receptions.
