This year’s girls varsity volleyball team from the King’s Academy is focused on going further than last year’s very talented team.
Last fall, TKA won its fifth-straight Class 3A, District 12 girls volleyball title, which was the 21st in school history. However, the squad’s successful season came to an end when the Lions fell in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 3A regional semifinals, losing in three straight sets to Berkeley Prep last October.
Unfortunately, this year’s team no longer has Kelly Kinney playing as an outside hitter. She has graduated and is now playing at the University of Minnesota. But, fortunately, the cupboards are not bare, so to speak, as head coach Bethany Avila has a talented roster of returners and newcomers on this year’s team.
This year’s 12-player team is led by three co-captains. They are senior middle blocker Bella Pons, senior libero Alanis Molina and junior outside hitter Miranda Knoll.
Another key member of the team will be freshman outside hitter Mikayla Matuszko, who played last year as an eighth grader. Since last season, Matuszko, who stands 6-foot-3, has practiced extensively with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program. Despite being a freshman, the tall and talented Matuszko will play a major role on the team this fall, both offensively, as an outside hitter, and defensively, as a middle blocker at the net.
Senior Gabby Rodriguez is an all-around player who adds depth to the lineup and is a spiritual leader on the team.
Another key part of the rotation is sophomore setter Jordan Molnar. According to Avila, Molnar is the top 2028 setter in Florida.
“Jordan is a 6-foot-2 setter who puts up a huge block on the outsides we play against and is always poised and so athletic,” Avila said.
Other key returning members of the team are senior Gabriella Fernandez, senior setter Hunter Saltalamacchia, junior defensive specialist Evelyn Brunetti and junior outside hitter Ava Maldonado.
The Lions opened their 2025 season with a pair of victories on Thursday, Aug. 14 at home against Jupiter Christian (25-10, 25-15, 25-7) and on Tuesday, Aug. 19 on the road against Pope John Paul II Academy (25-11, 25-13, 25–18). A key early game on the schedule will be a home match on Tuesday, Sept. 2 against the Westminster Christian Warriors from Miami, the reigning FHSAA Class 2A state champions.
“We are looking forward to an incredible season,” Avila said.
Ultimately, the girls varsity volleyball team from TKA is focused on reaching the FHSAA’s Class 3A state finals, which will be held on Nov. 5 at the Winter Haven Health Center.
