Auburndale boys’ volleyball continues to achieve history in just the fifth year since the FHSAA officially sanctioned the sport.
The Bloodhounds (12-2) won its second straight Class 2A, District 7 championship last week thanks to a 3-1 victory over Mulberry at home.
“I’m incredibly honored and can’t even begin to describe how much this means to us. We came in last week with no expectations and this year was a different pressure. We won it last year and expectations were high, but like any good team, I feel like we rose to the occasion,” Auburndale head boys volleyball coach Samantha Davila said.
Auburndale was able to rise to the occasion because of the underclassmen who needed to fill in for significant roles. But in the end, it came down to the upperclassmen.
Amid the district championship game, it was senior right-side Richie Collado who racked up five solo blocks. Then, senior Sebastian Crespo-Jimenez carried the team defensively as well.
On offense it was juniors Bray Weinacker and Josiah Mixon who carried the load, while junior setters Randy Tillman and Ty Duke kept the offense pretty spread out, which led to some consistent scoring in big moments.
Auburndale will face Lyman Thursday 4 p.m. at home in the regional quarterfinal.
Winter Haven beach volleyball wins fourth district title in a row
Winter Haven (14-1) beach volleyball continued to be the team to beat in the county and district thanks to winning a fourth consecutive district title last week after beating Lakeland 5-0 in the Class 3A, District 10 championship game.
The No. 26 program in all of Florida, though, had its fair share of adversity.
“This season has been the hardest season we have had yet with working around the kids club schedules. Beach and club have been conflicting schedules, and we have had many of our kids miss weeks of practice days due to being out of town for club tournaments and having club practice in Orlando or Tampa,” Winter Haven head beach volleyball coach Dylan Sechrest said.
Still, Winter Haven overcame these circumstances, eventually sweeping rival Lakeland.
All-County players in senior Emily Drier and junior Addison Traina won 2-0 at the 3-line, while junior Sophia Whitaker and senior Kindyl Goff won at the 2-line. In complete control at the 5-line were juniors Camila DeJesus and Isabella Sumner, while sophomore Savannah Watts and senior Kylie Catrett out of the gate were super-hot at the 4-line, dominating the first set before pushing through a gritty second set to win 2-0. And junior Hala Heath and freshman Taylor Warren overcame some adversity after dropping the first set, eventually winning the next two sets 2-1.
George Jenkins boys volleyball wins 2nd district title in a row
The high-flying Eagles (14-4) solidified a second district title in a row thanks to a 3-0 victory over Venice last week in the Class 3A, District 8 title game.
And George Jenkins did all of this despite starting middle blocker Damian Colondres sustaining a sprained ankle on Senior Night.
But it was the tough schedule throughout the year that prepared the program for a district championship.
“I think that defintely (was) a benefit, seeing better competition. The close competition around us does not challenge the team very much so going to other counties to play has really helped us,” George Jenkins head volleyball coach Jena Ousley said.
And those who have been battle-tested through the regular season and into districts has been senior outside hitter Jacob Aca as a primary passer and as a standout hitter, while senior Diego Ayala executed consistently on the outside. Providing a wall for the first line of blocking were senior middle blocker Matthew Hornsby and Damian Colondres. And last and surely not lease are the quarterbacks: senior Matt Aca and freshman Preston McFaddin.
George Jenkins will play in the regional quarterfinals against Cypress Creek 7 p.m. Thursday at home.
Lake Gibson boys weightlifting creates history
Lake Gibson boys weightlifting cemented its very first regional runner-up in school history in the Class 3A, Region 6 tournament over the weekend.
“This trophy means we are getting better, and it’s a symbol of our growth and success,” Lake Gibson head weightlifting coach Daniel Hargrove said. “Everyone has to start somewhere, and I remember a time when coach Walker and the Braves’ wrestling team were just winning regional runner-up before they reached the point they are at now. Everyone starts somewhere and for us it was district runner-up, multiple district titles, now regional runner-up.”
The three state qualifiers for Olympic are Zachary Griffith (129), Zyon Davis (129) and Micah Pointer (169).
In Class 1A, Regional 6 tournament action, the following have automatic state bids: Fort Meade’s Josiah Mitchell (154, traditional, Olympic), Fort Meade’s Angel Quintero (169, traditional), Discovery’s Benjamin Cortes (199, traditional Olympic) and Ridgeview’s Jayden Plaisimond (unlimited, Olympic).
And in Class 3A, Regional 5 tournament competition, automatic state qualifiers are: Haines City’s Franc Guillaume (169, traditional), Ridge’s Javaree James (199, traditional), Ridge’s Lavonski Tubbs (238, traditional), Haines City’s Elijah Rivera (unlimited, traditional), Winter Haven’s Peyton Bowers (119, Olympic) and George Jenkins’ Josiah Grant (238, Olympic).
Auburndale flag wins district title
Auburndale’s flag football team won the Class 3A, District 6 Tournament thanks to a 24-0 victory over Lake Gibson last Thursday, which makes it the first district title in school history. The Bloodhounds will face Seminole Ridge in the regional quarterfinal 7 p.m. Wednesday on the road.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Auburndale, Winter Haven, Jenkins district champs; 40 top performers
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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