The Seminole Ridge High School girls varsity volleyball team is continuing its dominant run of success this fall. After 22 games, the Hawks are 20-2 and currently riding a six-game winning streak.
Three of the team’s most recent victories took place Sept. 25-26 when Seminole Ridge hosted eight teams for this year’s Palm Beach Classic girls volleyball tournament. The teams played a total of 32 games in the two-day tournament, during which Seminole Ridge captured the championship of the gold division.
According to Seminole Ridge head coach Scott Barnwell, the biggest difference between last year’s team, which had a losing record, and this year’s team, which has a winning record, is the attitude and mindset of his players.
“My entire coaching career motto is: ‘Hard work, pays off!’ And these ladies are doing exactly that,” Barnwell said.
Senior team captain Abi Chin Lee is playing a leading role in practices and in games. “She is the heart and soul of our team and continues to lead by example,” Barnwell said.
Lee is not the only member of the team playing well this season. Barnwell said that Dominika Hilton, the team’s libero, has been brilliant in every match.
“Dominika Hilton has been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “She is the best libero in Palm Beach County.”
The team’s scoring success can also be attributed to Gracie LaCroix’s ability to provide well-executed sets. “Gracie is one of our setters, and she has been playing amazing,” Barnwell said.
Seminole Ridge’s ability to block the opposition’s kill shots has been a huge part of the team’s defense.
“Our two middles — Giulia Freitas and Leah Gailey — have been playing outstanding volleyball,” Barnwell said.
He added that Aliyah Giannetto’s strength is her ability to defend. “Aliyah is one of the best defensive specialists you will find,” Barnwell said.
Meanwhile, Ava Clearwater’s willingness to do whatever the team needs in order to win has been invaluable. “Ava has changed positions for us, and she has been unbelievable with her blocking and defense, and her offense has been great,” Barnwell noted.
Some of Seminole Ridge’s statistical leaders include Lee, who leads the team in kills per set (6.1), total kills (336), hitting percentage (.334) and serving aces (39). Hilton tops the team with the most digs (343). LaCroix is the team leader in assists (266), while Freitas is the team leader in total blocks (38).
For Seminole Ridge, the regular season comes to an end on Thursday, Oct. 8 when the Hawks host West Boca Raton High School. The Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 5A, District 13 tournament begins during the week of Monday, Oct. 12. Seminole Ridge is focused on reaching the Class 5A state final four on Thursday, Nov. 5 (state semifinals) and Saturday, Nov. 7 (state final), which will be held at the Winter Haven Sports Center.
In other high school volleyball news:
- The King’s Academy is 15-5 after its first 20 games. TKA, which has won four out of its last five matches, is ranked seventh in Florida among FHSAA Class 3A teams. Senior outside hitter Miranda Knoll is leading the squad in seven different statistical categories: kills (254), kills per set (4.6), hitting percentage (.318), digs per set (2.4), digs (134), serving aces (43) and aces per set (0.8).
- The team from Berean Christian School is having the strongest season in school history. After 17 games, Berean has a record of 12-5 and is ranked 17th in the latest Class 1A state rankings. Sophomore libero Sarah Bockisch is leading Berean in five different statistical categories: digs per set (3.2), serving aces (64), aces per set (1.3), digs (162) and receptions (321).
- At Wellington High School, the Wolverines have an 11-10 record. Senior outside hitter Madison Martinez is leading Wellington in kills per set (2.9) and total kills (149), while junior setter Audrey Keefe is leading in serving aces (34).
- At Royal Palm Beach High School, under the leadership of first-year head coach Payton Reis, the girls volleyball team is 8-7 after 15 games. Senior outside hitter Leslie Mentor is leading the team in five statistical categories: kills per set (3.0), serving aces (44), aces per set (0.9), digs (105) and kills (143).
- At Palm Beach Central High School, the Broncos are 5-15 after the first 20 games of the regular season. Junior middle blocker Madison Seick is leading the team in two statistical categories: total blocks (17) and aces per set (0.9).
