High School Beach Volleyball: Winter Haven competes in the state championship

TALLAHASEE — In the first year that beach volleyball was officially sanctioned by the FHSAA, Winter Haven advanced all the way to the 2023 Beach Volleyball State Championships. But the Blue Devils ran up against New Smyrna Beach and ultimately went down in the first round of state 5-0 Friday at Florida State University.

Both teams were on a collision course for its first loss of the season, as Winter Haven was 16-0 and New Smyrna was 25-0. But it took the No. 1 team in the state to knock off Winter Haven.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” Winter Haven head beach volleyball coach Dylan Sechrest said.We talked about the fact that the goals we set out were accomplished. One of the big things we wanted to do is win our district championship. We kind of knew what to expect from playing some of those teams. It was another team goal to beat Lakeland this season. We ended up winning a couple of playoff games which I think exceeded our expectations… (We) can’t hang our hats on today (Friday). Losing sucks. We would have much rather came out on the other side of it. So proud of the goals the girls accomplished this season. (I’m) thankful for the year.”

The year came down to playing high-level players that had the size, athleticism, skill as well as the experience of playing beach volleyball a lot longer than most of the Winter Haven players.

More: Beach volleyball: Winter Haven wins regional quarterfinal

While Winter Haven didn’t win a set, there were some positives to take away from the No. 5 seed, Kylie Catrett and Morgan Giles. Facing a No. 5 seed New Smyrna Beach team that comprised a 6’3” student-athlete and two seniors, Winter Haven managed to tie the set at 18 with two ninth graders, eventually taking it to a third set.

“I was really proud of the fight they showed,” Sechrest said. “All of the girls went out and laid it on the line. We hadn’t seen a team of this caliber yet this season. Proud of everybody. But a special shout out to the five seed.”

Next year, Winter Haven (16-1) will be returning eight of its top 10 players, with the Blue Devils losing just two seniors.

“We’re a young team. There’s not going to be much turnover, and they have an opportunity to just continue to grow and get better," Sechrest said.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven competes in the state championship