New Smyrna Beach remained atop the Volusia-Flagler beach volleyball standings in 2026.
The Barracudas posted a 15-6 record, won a district championship and charged to the regional finals without dropping a match against area competition. They were one of only two local clubs to make the FHSAA playoffs, and they sat 24th in the final state rankings of the spring.
DeLand joined New Smyrna Beach in the postseason as a wild-card qualifier. The Bulldogs set a new program high mark for victories in a season with 10 and ranked 65th in the state. Spruce Creek rounded out the local group of top-100 programs in 98th.
Let’s check out the All-Area list.
First Team
Grayson Bridgewater and Taylor Fonseca, DeLand: As the Bulldogs’ Line 1 pairing, the senior captains spearheaded the playoff lineup, speeding to a 10-6 record.
Unity Buker and Savannah Toler, New Smyrna Beach: The seniors locked down the Line 2 spot for the region finalist Barracudas, going 15-6.
Kate Collins and Laila Parnell, New Smyrna Beach: Collins and Parnell went 13-3 together at Line 4. Parnell also posted a 5-0 record with Jasmine Mahoney.
Mollie Hale and Paige Taylor, New Smyrna Beach: Hale and Taylor had the second-best record of any Barracudas duo — and any duo in the area — notching a 15-3 mark at Line 3.
Bailey Jones and Teagan Lux, New Smyrna Beach: After playing together as Line 4 partners as sophomores two years ago, Jones and Lux reunited as a top duo this season. They led all local players in wins with a 17-4 record.
Taylor Ralston and Peyton Smith, Flagler Palm Coast: Ralston and Smith contributed to the Bulldogs’ first .500 finish in program history. They cruised to a Line 4 record of 11-3 with wins over DeLand and Spruce Creek, the highest-ranked local teams they played.
Second Team
Addison Clark and Emily Thornton, DeLand: The seniors compiled an 8-8 record at Line 2 for the postseason-qualifying Bulldogs.
Emma Cronje and Jane Pellett, Spruce Creek: The juniors were the Hawks’ winningest duo. They finished 12-7 in Line 5 action.
Nailah Cullom and Lillian VanDeusen, DeLand: Cullom and VanDeusen suited up mostly at Line 4 but also jumped to Line 3 on occasion. They collected a 10-3 record and did not lose in districts or regionals.
Bella Evans and Kaylynn Evans, Atlantic: The twins, who are headed to Erskine to play collegiately, served as the Sharks’ Line 1 duo, helping them to a 7-8 overall mark and their first district finals appearance.
Annabelle Gentry and Bristol Watts, Spruce Creek: As the Hawks’ Line 1 pairing, Gentry and Watts put up a 9-10 record, including a 9-4 tally against Volusia-Flagler area competition.
Jasmine Mahoney and Della McLaughlin, New Smyrna Beach: Mahoney and McLaughlin rounded out the Barracudas’ starting lineup. They finished 7-5 together at Line 5. Mahoney also added five wins with Parnell at Line 4.
Honorable Mention
Atlantic: Kylee Franklin, Harmony Sirju
DeLand: Kendall Ezell, Emma Forand, Paige Partin, Mackenzie Sanchez
Flagler Palm Coast: Haley Sobin, Brie Sproul
Seabreeze: Alex Dingman, Lilli Litz
Spruce Creek: Ayah Dandan, Elly Dodds, Bella Johnson, Myla Solose, Rayelin Watts, Evelyn Webb
Beach Volleyball Coach of the Year
Jonathan Cunningham, New Smyrna Beach: The Barracudas had seven new starters this year, but under Cunningham’s tutelage, the results stayed the same. New Smyrna Beach captured its fifth consecutive district title and blazed to the regional finals. It beat all of its local opponents 5-0.
Beach Volleyball Pair of the Year
Bailey Jones and Teagan Lux, New Smyrna Beach: As the Barracudas stayed undefeated in the area and made another playoff trip, Jones and Lux led the charge. The senior held a record of 17-4, pacing all locals in wins during their first season as Line 1 partners. Jones, a Saint Leo commit, also claimed this award last year.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Unveiling the 2026 Volusia-Flagler All-Area Beach Volleyball Team
Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
