Replacing eight seniors is no easy task, but that’s the challenge facing the Apopka High School volleyball team as the Blue Darters prepare for the 2026 season. While much of last year’s 7-13 squad has graduated, head coaches Brian Mater and Sarah Egbers believe the combination of experienced returners, talented newcomers and a stronger competitive culture has the program moving in the right direction. 

Third-year head coaches Brian Mater and Sarah Egbers believe the foundation they have spent the past two seasons laying has taken shape. 

About 65 players attended tryouts this summer, and 33 earned roster spots, with 11 making varsity, 12 joining the junior varsity squad and 10 landing on the freshman team. 

For Mater, the competitive numbers are a sign that the program is moving in the right direction. 

“When Sarah and I started three years ago, we had to learn each other while also learning and building the program,” Mater said. “We wanted to build character, build pride and create a culture that players wanted to be a part of.” 

That culture has led to significant changes in how the Blue Darters structure their teams. 

Rather than carrying larger varsity rosters, Mater and Egbers intentionally reduced each team to about 10 or 11 players, emphasizing quality over quantity. 

“My goal was to have the top 30 volleyball players at Apopka High School,” Mater said. “I also wanted to make sure the top players were on the court at all times, whether that’s freshman, JV or varsity. We want every player to be ready when their number is called.” 

The increased expectations made for difficult decisions during tryouts. 

Several returning players did not make this year’s teams, a move Mater acknowledged was challenging but necessary to continue raising the program’s standard. 

“We had to make some really tough cuts,” he said. “But it also set expectations. I’m expecting them to eat, sleep and live volleyball all year long to come back and play for us next year because we’re trying to bring back the Apopka pride.” 

Mater wants the Blue Darters to become part of the championship culture already associated with Apopka athletics. 

“Everyone wants to see football winning, basketball winning, wrestling winning…” Mater said. “We want volleyball to be part of that winning culture where people are proud to say they play Apopka volleyball.” 

Despite the roster turnover, the Blue Darters return seven varsity players who will be counted on to lead the way. 

Seniors Taylor Cain and Anais Ruiz headline the returning group alongside juniors Kiana Napier, Marie Hughes, Emma Vincent and Victoria Polusmak. Sophomore Kierra Taylor also returns after gaining valuable varsity experience at the end of last season. 

The returning core has helped ease the transition for a team replacing nearly half of last year’s varsity roster. 

One newcomer who has quickly earned the coaching staff’s confidence is freshman setter Kalissa Burske. 

Burske impressed throughout tryouts with her volleyball IQ, athleticism and leadership, earning a spot on the varsity roster before ever playing a high school match. 

“We have our freshman setter Kalissa coming up to varsity,” Mater said. “She’s a true leader on the court. She made herself present right away by leading and staying positive.” 

Mater said Burske’s teammates immediately embraced the decision. 

“When she found out she made varsity, she ran back into the huddle and the girls were cheering for her,” he said. “I think the leadership is already there, and she’s going to fit right in with this group.” 

Practices have reflected the program’s increased expectations. 

The coaching staff has placed a greater emphasis on conditioning than in previous seasons, believing improved speed and endurance will translate into better play throughout long matches. 

“We want the players to realize they have coaches who want to build something special,” Mater said. “The conditioning isn’t always fun, but we want to be faster on the court. We want them to have that drive to keep getting better.” 

Just as important, Mater wants every player — whether they made varsity or not — to leave the program motivated rather than discouraged. 

“I’m hoping girls look back and say, ‘I didn’t make it this year, but I’m going to train and earn someone’s spot next season,'” he said. “We want them to feel safe within these four walls while still pushing themselves to improve.” 

The Blue Darters will get their first opportunity to test themselves Aug. 12 when they compete in a preseason round-robin tournament at Lake Buena Vista High School alongside Wekiva, Oviedo and host Lake Buena Vista. 

The event will allow the coaching staff to evaluate rotations and make final adjustments before the regular season begins. 

Apopka opens the season Aug. 18 on the road against Ocoee before hosting Forest Lake Academy in its home opener two days later. 

With experienced returners, talented newcomers and a commitment to raising the standard, the Blue Darters believe they are building a unit capable of bringing winning seasons back to the program.