Playoff Preview?

Hurricane Helene forced Marco Island Academy volleyball coach Alyssa Stolinas to take a break from volleyball. It was a break she probably needed as she prepares her team  for their conference championship and perhaps a state playoff run.

Stolinas takes her 12-7 squad to Mason Classical Academy on Thursday, October 3, then hosts district power First Baptist Academy for the first time ever on Monday, October 7, at 7:00 PM. 

Stolinas said her players needed a break too, after defeating district rival Southwest Florida Christian (SFCHS), 3-0, at home on Monday, September 23, on the heels of a successful run at the Estero Wildcat Invitational.

"It's been five days with no volleyball,” Stolinas said, "I feel disconnected a little bit. It's a break I didn't know I needed. I think it was just a break everyone needed.”

Stolinas is happy with the way her young team took care of business against SFCHS, sweeping a quality district foe, 25-18, 25-15, 25-16.

"I just feel we set the tone very quickly,” Stolinas said. "We came out and did what we needed to do. We started the first set with seven aces. That kind of set the tone very quickly, and we just got better from there.”

The October 3 match-up with conference foe Mason Classical (6-2) favors the Rays, who gave up only 22 points in three sets against the Paladins when they met in August. FBA’s visit is a different case altogether. Stolinas and her young and improving team is excited to see how they stack up against the 12-3 Lions.

“That’s a big game,” Stolinas said. "We played against them at the Wildcat Invitational and we battled with them. It should be a good game. The girls are looking forward to it."

Stolinas likes the way her young team is coming together. They may be peaking at the right time. Now she wants to see them play their game no matter the level of their competition.

“I tell them I don't care what the name on their jersey says,” Stolinas said, "you just go out there and play your game, never change your level of play.” 

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Especially when you have a team with no seniors. Stolinas depends on her three juniors, Medney Garraux, Madison Stolinas, and Rylee Howard to lead her promising collection of sophomores and freshmen.

"We should be returning everyone next year,” Stolinas said, “everything’s looking up. It's a great feeling to watch it unfold. They're always wanting to learn more. They're always asking questions. They're always wanting to do better. They have each other's back. As a coach, that's half the battle."

Stolinas and assistant coach Rich Constante were so busy building their team that they almost missed a milestone for Garraux, who was honored during the SFCHS match for 1,000 career kills.

"I was shocked,” Stolinas said. "I don't think she knew it was coming. She actually had no clue, which made it more special. I told her this is what happens when you work hard. We couldn't be more proud of her. She's actually on pace to break the school record.”

Stolinas also coached the record holder, Camryn Rose. “I wish Camryn and Medney could have played together,” Stolinas mused. “Sometime before she's done playing volleyball at MIA, Medney should be breaking that record,” Stolinas said. “She's very humble, but you can tell she's super proud. I just couldn't be more proud of her."