Vinnie Cammarano
Key Points
Wekiva’s volleyball team has turned the page from its slow start and has hit its stride. The Mustangs improved to 4-4 and reached the .500 mark Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to three matches with a 25-7, 25-14, 25-20 sweep of Colonial at home.
Wekiva controlled the first two sets before Colonial pushed back in the third. The Grenadiers battled the Mustangs to a 14-14 tie, but Wekiva responded with a seven-point run to regain control.
Elyanna Sanchez had a strong night and delivered her 10th and 11th kills during the run. Ginia Reese added two perfectly placed tip kills late in the set before Avianna Mater closed the match with the final two kills, securing the 25-20 victory.
Sanchez led the Mustangs with 11 kills and four aces, while Mater added eight kills and an ace.
Reese made her presence felt at the net with two kills and four blocks. Senior setter Isabella Espada kept the offense moving with 22 assists and three aces, while freshman outside hitter Isabella Mancilla provided a steady offensive performance with five kills and the team’s best hitting percentage.
The victory continued a stretch of dominant volleyball for the Mustangs.
Wekiva’s second win of its three-match winning streak was a 3-0 sweep of Evans last Thursday, winning 25-1, 25-8, 25-7. Sanchez and Espada combined for 15 aces in the match, while Sanchez and Mater each recorded six kills.
The Mustangs have now won nine consecutive sets.
Coach Heather Lorenz said the recent stretch has given her team an opportunity to find its identity and build confidence as the season progresses.
“I feel like the last week in those two games it gave us that opportunity to build and see who we are and how we can play as a team,” Lorenz said.
The return of two starters, Avianna Mater and Mikayla Rivera, who suffered minor injuries early in the season has also provided a boost for Wekiva.
“Having my two injured players back has been a tremendous help for us as a team and a program,” Lorenz said. “It’s just nice right now to see how they are coming into their own.”
That improved depth has allowed the Mustangs to get contributions throughout the lineup.
“Everyone had great plays in this game from my hitters, to my libero and DS,” Lorenz said. “Thanks always to my setter Isabella [Espada] for allowing my hitters to show off their talents.”
Lorenz also credited the team’s captains for helping drive the program forward.
“The knowledge of all my captains as well is a great driving force for this program,” she said.
After struggling through the early portion of the season, Wekiva has begun to build momentum at an important point in the schedule.
The Mustangs will look to make it four consecutive victories and extend their nine-set winning streak Thursday night when they return home for their next matchup against Windermere Prep (4-2).