MIA Falls in District Semi's, Advance to Regionals

When coach Alyssa Stolinas challenged her Marco Island Academy volleyball team by beefing up their regular season schedule, she was building toward the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Series. Now that time has come.

MIA advanced to the Class 2A District 9 semifinals before bowing to First Baptist Academy (FBA) in straight sets on Tuesday, October 15, in the FBA gym. Because of their strong strength of schedule, the Rays advanced to the regional tournament where they faced Jupiter Christian on Tuesday, October 22. The Rays are the 7-seed in the Region 3 tournament. Two-seed Jupiter Christian (15-5) entered the regional tournament on a six-match win streak, including a lone win in their three-team district. The Rays compete in a seven-team district.

The district 4-seed Rays found top-seeded FBA too tough to handle in the district semifinal, falling 25-14, 25-18, 25-14. Medney Garraux was a bright spot for the Rays against FBA, with 18 kills against the powerful Lions' front line. Garraux is the state leader in kills across all classes with 486. Class 6A leader Natasha Casey of Lake Howell is in second place with 454 kills.

If the Rays (14-8) won their regional quarterfinal, they would play a road semifinal match on Saturday, Oct. 22, against the winner of 3-seed Canterbury (17-5) versus 6-seed Holy Trinity Episcopal (16-9). The Region 3 final will be played on Oct. 29 at the higher seed’s gym. The regional winner advances to the state Final 4, Nov. 5-6, in Winter Haven.