At the end of each season, The Herald-Tribune selects All-Area teams to honor the best athletes in every sport. Coaches from Sarasota and Manatee County schools are sent nomination forms and are asked to nominate and rate their athletes as well as those from other teams. That data, combined with our research, led to the selection of the All-Area team.
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Kinsey Judge and Ana Julia Villamajor
School: Venice
Year: Judge is a freshman, Villamajor is a sophomore
Highlights: Villamajor and Judge helped Venice to a 14-5 record and a 3A state semifinal appearance. Venice finished ranked No. 19 in Florida and No. 27 nationally.
FIRST TEAM
Kelsey Jerome and Ryan Sandhoff
School: Bradenton Christian
Year: Jerome is a junior, Sandhoff is a senior
Highlights: Jerome and Sandhoff played as the No. 1 pair for Bradenton Christian. The Panthers went 8-10 this season, ranked No. 41 in the state and No. 78 nationally, according to MaxPreps.
Ashlyn Henry and Mia McGuire
School: Braden River
Year: Henry and McGuire are seniors
Highlights: Henry and McGuire pushed Braden River to a 7-3 finish. The Pirates are ranked No. 72 in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
Julia Vendramini and Kora Yanes
School: Lakewood Ranch
Year: Vendramini and Yanes are seniors
Highlights: Vendramini and Yanes pushed the Mustangs to a 9-5 finish. Lakewood Ranch finished the season ranked No. 58 in the state, according to MaxPreps.
Izzy Costanzo and Aubrey Mocherman
School: Riverview
Year: Costanzo is a Junior, Mocherman is a Senior
Highlights: Costanzo and Mocherman pushed Riverview to a 9-4 finish. The Rams are ranked No. 28 in Florida and No. 48 nationally, according to MaxPreps.
Lily Light and Sam Rogers
School: Riverview
Year: Light and Rogers are freshmen
Highlights: Rogers and Light helped make the Rams one of the best beach volleyball teams in the area. Riverview made a Class 3A regional semifinal appearance with the pair’s help.
Ryan Donlin and Reagan Miller
School: Sarasota Christian
Year: Donlin and Miller are juniors
Highlights: Donlin and Miller went 12-4 this season, helping Sarasota Christian to an 8-9 finish. Donlin had 141 kills while Miller added 153.
Melissa Apolonio and Payton Cavanaugh
School: Venice
Year: Apolonio is a senior, Cavanaugh is a sophomore
Highlights: Apolonio and Cavanaugh helped Venice to a Class 3A state semifinal appearance in May.
SECOND TEAM
Ava Collins and Anastazia Skowyra, Lakewood Ranch
Molly Horalek and Rilyn Stiegler, Braden River
Daisey Troyer and Brooke Rogers, Riverview
HONORABLE MENTION
Sarasota: Parker Mayforth and Samantha Lewis
Bradenton Christian: Natasha Pearce and Brooke Kragt
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Richards
School: Venice
Highlights: Richards led Venice to a 14-5 record and a Class 3A Final Four appearance. The Indians had the best ranking in the area, finishing No. 19 in Florida and No. 27 nationally.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 2026 Herald-Tribune All-Area Beach Volleyball Team, Players of the Year
Reporting by Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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