Florida High volleyball advance to regional semifinals, sweep Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Taped to a wall in the back corner of Bob Albertson Gym is a list with seven markings on it.
The list is Florida High Volleyball's map to the state championships, a new tradition for the program where a player writes the name of the team's opponent on the list and crosses it off with a victory.
The Seminoles crossed one name off that list Tuesday night, sweeping the Episcopal School of Jacksonville 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-18) in the Florida High School Athletic Association 3A regional quarterfinals.
Following its first district title win since 2019, the 2023 Florida High squad looking to be the first team in school history to bring a state championship back to Southwood, and is playing with belief as it chases a state championship.
"We all build each other up and we're always there supporting each other no matter what," Florida High senior Amelia Wass de czege said. "That just gives us the confidence to play our best."
The senior, whose birthday was Tuesday night, has played a key role in the Seminoles offense this season posting 195 kills and leading the team in blocks with 102. One of the highlights of the senior's playstyle on display against Episcopal School of Jacksonville is her ability to end a rally with a hard-hit kill or block.
"It's really important because it's a big momentum changer during the game," Wass de czega said. "Even if you're down a little bit if you get that big kill or big block, that's gonna switch the game around and make the momentum come back in your favor."
Next up for the Seminoles is a 3A Region 1 semifinal against No. 3 Trinity Catholic, who swept Maclay Tuesday night. Florida High lost to Trinity Catholic in the regional semifinals last season and will host the Celtics on Friday night.
Changing the culture
The Seminole's belief that it can compete for a state championship didn't come overnight, it was developed after a shift in the culture of the program. The shift was led by head coach Shelia Roberts and has now impacted the entire squad.
"We have really improved with our culture and the energy on the court is much better than some of the years past," Florida High sophomore Eva Goodson said. "This team is just a family."
Goodson is in her second year with the varsity team, carving out a role as one of the Seminole's top contributors. She feels like the veterans on the team have helped her develop and inspired her to become the player she is.
"The seniors this year are incredible. I love them so much," Goodson said. "They're definitely role models to me and I look up to them every single day and I try to be like them all the time."
The sophomore feels like the team's ability to have fun in both practices and games is one of the things that has allowed for the growing shift in culture at Florida High, allowing it to play with more confidence as it goes through the playoff rounds.
"We get to goof off a bit in practice here and there, we like to have fun during practice but we also lock in at practice," Goodson said. "We demonstrate that on the court as well. We just know that this is important to us and we can smile about it later."
Wass de czega not only wants to leave Florida High with a state title but also wants to leave the program in the hands of the next generation. The senior feels players like Goodson will take the program forward after the seniors graduate, continuing the culture that she helped grow.
"They're really important because they're gonna be the future of this program. And we've all worked so hard to build the program to what it is," Wass de czega said. "We are trying to make sure that it's gonna carry on and I think, especially with these younger classmen, it will keep going."
Regional roundup
4A: No. 2 South Walton 3-0 No. 7 Wakulla
The War Eagles season ends at South Walton. Wakulla finishs15-11 record the season as 4A District 2 champions, posting a 15-11 overall record.
3A: No. 3 Trinity Catholic 3-0 No. 6 Maclay
Maclay's season ends at the hands of the Celtics. The Marauders finish as 3A District 1 runner-up, posting a 13-11 record.
2A: No. 1 Oak Hall 3-0 No. 8 North Florida Christian
NFC's season ends at Oak Hall. The Eagles won the 2A District 1 championship and finish with a 8-15 record.
Wednesday's games
6A: No. 4 Leon at No. 5 Ponte Vedra 7 p.m.
No. 7 Fletcher at No. 2 Chiles 7 p.m.
5A: No. 5 Choctawhatchee at No. 4 Lincoln 6 p.m.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida High sweep Episcopal School of Jacksonville, advance to semis
