Who's gonna win? Seacrest, Barron Collier, Estero favored to win volleyball district titles
The FHSAA officially released the 2023 volleyball district pairings on Friday morning.
Let's take a dive into each district that houses a Southwest Florida team, look at the playoff brackets, and try to pick who will be holding up a championship trophy on Thursday.
Top 10: Who leads The News-Press/Naples Daily News Volleyball rankings?
All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Class 7A-District 12
Monday
(5) Lehigh at (4) North Port
Tuesday
(5) Lehigh/(4) North Port at (1) Venice
(3) Sarasota at (2) Riverview
Thursday
District championship at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This district shouldn't be much of a problem for the defending champions in Class 7A, as Venice is ranked 170 spots higher than the No. 2 seed, Sarasota Riverview. Lehigh has to earn the right to play the Indians, but will have to beat North Port on the road to do so. Sharpie it in, Venice will win Class 7A-District 12.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Venice
Class 6A-District 12
Monday
(8) East Lee County at (1) Fort Myers
(7) Immokalee at (2) Riverdale
(6) Cape Coral at (3) Ida Baker
(5) South Fort Myers at (4) Palmetto Ridge
Tuesday
(8) East Lee County/(1) Fort Myers vs. (5) South Fort Myers/(4) Palmetto Ridge
(7) Immokalee/(2) Riverdale vs. (6) Cape Coral/(3) Ida Baker
Thursday
District championship at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Analysis: This district is a three-horse race between top-seeded Fort Myers, Riverdale, and Ida Baker. The Greenies come into Friday's game on a two-game losing streak after being swept by Bonita Springs and losing to Charlotte in four sets. The Green Wave have also lost five of their last seven contests. Riverdale just downed the Bull Sharks in four sets last night, and have won five of their last seven. The two sides split meetings this year, with Fort Myers winning 3-1 on the road, while Riverdale swept the Greenies 25-15, 25-20 at the Wildcat Invite.
The Greenies are not trending in the right direction, while the Raiders have been more consistent as of late. The atmosphere in the Wave Cave is arguably the toughest place to play in Southwest Florida, as Fort Myers is 81-10 in their last 91 home matches. Even if the Green Wave aren't playing their best, the Fort Myers fans might be able to make an impact in this one.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Fort Myers
Class 5A-District 11
Monday
(7) Island Coast at (2) North Fort Myers
(6) Southeast at (3) Port Charlotte
(5) Mariner at (4) Parrish Community
Tuesday
(5) Mariner/(4) Parrish Community at (1) Braden River
(6) Southeast/(3) Port Charlotte vs. (7) Island Coast/(2) North Fort Myers
Thursday
District championship at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Braden River sits over 100 spots higher than that of the No. 2 seed, North Fort Myers. Braden River finished the regular season with an 18-6 record but did lose their final three matches of the regular season to Bradenton Christian, Venice, and Carrollwood Day, all top 80 opponents in the state. The Red Knights are having a very good season under Nancy Eskay but will be the underdog in a hypothetical district title contest. Port Charlotte is coming along though and could be in a position to take down the Red Knights on the road. Regardless, Braden River, Port Charlotte, and North Fort Myers are all likely to make the postseason.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Braden River
Class 5A-District 12
Monday
(8) Dunbar at (1) Barron Collier
(7) Lely at (2) Gulf Coast
(6) Golden Gate at (3) Bonita Springs
(5) Cypress Lake at (4) Naples
Tuesday
(8) Dunbar/(1) Barron Collier vs. (5) Cypress Lake/(4) Naples
(7) Lely/(2) Gulf Coast vs. (6) Golden Gate/(3) Bonita Springs
Thursday
District championship at higher seed, 7 p.m.
Analysis: We are one step closer to getting the Trilogy between Barron Collier and Gulf Coast, as the two teams have already met twice this season. The Cougars won both contests, most recently a 3-0 sweep of the Sharks to take the CCAC Championship. Barron is sitting with a 16-4 record but will have five games this weekend at the Warrior Invite in Miami. Gulf Coast's regular season is done, posting a 16-7 record.
While a Bonita Springs upset of the Sharks would be the likeliest of scenarios here, it's hard to envision a district title contest other than two bitter rivals here. Barron Collier will look to begin its state title quest under Yamil Del Valle and will be a favorite at home against the Sharks. Bonita Springs, assuming it handles business and gets to a district semifinal at a minimum, is likely looking at being seeded anywhere from No. 6 to No. 8 in the state tournament.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Barron Collier
Class 4A-District 12
Monday
(5) Clewiston at (4) Gateway
Tuesday
(5) Clewiston/(4) Gateway at (1) Estero
(3) LaBelle at (2) Aubrey Rogers
Thursday
District championship, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The Wildcats are in excellent position to repeat as district champions under John Ban, as Estero has a 15-9 record entering district play. His program has scheduled tough, taking on the likes of Tampa Plant, Academy of the Holy Names, Barron Collier, First Baptist, Community School, Canterbury, Bishop Verot, Gulf Coast and others to prepare for the postseason. There shouldn't be any problems for the Wildcats to repeat in 4A-12, but keep an eye on Aubrey Rogers, which is poised to make their first playoff appearance in their first year under Saad Rivera. The Patriots are 13-11 and have been competitive against some strong programs this season.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Estero
Class 3A-District 12
Monday
(5) Oasis at (4) Bishop Verot, 6 p.m.
(6) Gateway Charter at (3) Community School, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
(5) Oasis/(4) Bishop Verot at (1) First Baptist, 6 p.m.
(6) Gateway Charter/(3) Community School at (2) Canterbury, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19
District championship, 6 p.m.
Analysis: If we're picking a team that isn't a No. 1 seed to win the district, this is the one where that's the likeliest to happen. First Baptist, Canterbury, Community School, and Bishop Verot are about as equally matched as you can get. FBA went a combined 4-1 against Verot, Canterbury, and CSN this year. Canterbury is 2-3 in the same category, while CSN is 3-2 and Bishop Verot is 1-4. The Vikings have been piecing it together at the right time, as have the Cougars, who grabbed a huge win over Cardinal Mooney on the road. CSN's performance at the Wildcat Invite was eye-opening, while FBA's dominance throughout the year with one senior in Josie Hendricks has been impressive. Flip a coin on this district, as CSN and Verot are currently on the outside looking in with regard to the playoff picture.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: First Baptist
Class 2A-District 12
Monday (all games at St. John Neumann)
(1) Seacrest Country Day vs. (8) Village School, 3:30 p.m.
(2) St. John Neumann vs. (7) Donahue Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
(4) Marco Island vs. (5) Evangelical Christian, 5:30 p.m.
(3) SFCA vs. (6) Moore Haven, 7 p.m
Tuesday
(8) Village School/(1) Seacrest Country Day vs. (5) Evangelical Christian/(4) Marco Island, 7 p.m.
(7) Donahue Catholic/(2) St. John Neumann vs. (6) Moore Haven/(3) SFCA, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
District championship, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The Stingrays have been dominant all season, posting a 17-2 record up to this point with five games coming at the Warrior Invitational this weekend. Jeff Motluck's girls are hitting .323 as a team this year, posting a kill rate of just under 45 percent on the season. Despite Sami Soderlund (211 kills, .382 hitting percentage, 21 blocks) being unavailable for at least one game in next week's district tournament, the Stingrays should roll to another district title and begin their quest for a three-peat in Class 2A. Keep an eye on how Marco Island and SFCA perform, as those two could see each other in the postseason in the first round.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News pick: Seacrest Country Day
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Volleyball playoff time: Matchups and our picks to win SWFL district titles
