Cardinal Mooney Volleyball Team Showcases Comeback in Regional Semifinals

Sarasota – The Cardinal Mooney Cougars had quite the thrilling afternoon on Saturday, securing their spot in the Class 3A-Regional 3 state finals after a dramatic comeback against the Calvary Christian Crusaders. After dropping the first game 18-25, the Cougars rallied back to win the next three games, ending the match with scores of 26-24, 25-19, and 25-13.

Head coach Allen Knight expressed pride in how his team responded to the initial setback. “We are very proud of the girls and how they adjusted to Calvary’s game plan. They focused on controlling the ball and transitioning to offense,” Knight said. The Cougars demonstrated strong blocking and solid defense, mitigating Calvary’s powerful attacks.

The victory brings the Cougars’ record to 22-4, setting them up for a showdown on Tuesday night against either Berkeley Prep or Kings Academy. Depending on the outcome of that game, the Cougars may either travel or host the regional final.

Key players for the Cougars included Sydney Sparma, who contributed five kills, 16 assists, and 12 digs, alongside Riley Greene and Izzy Russell, who each had impressive performances with 10 kills and significant assists. Katie Powers was also a standout with 22 digs, demonstrating resilience and quick reactions on the court.

Meanwhile, the Venice High Volleyball Team also made an impressive showing, defeating the host Winter Haven team 3-1, bringing their record to 14-9. They will face the defending champions, Plant, in the regional finals on Wednesday. Coach Jay Lanham highlighted the team’s service game as a critical factor in their performance.

The teams have shown great determination and skill as they push towards their goals for a state title. The next matches are anticipated to be exciting as these talented teams battle it out on the court.