Coral Springs Charter School girls’ volleyball coach Sammy Jo Harwell said she was pleased with her school’s season even though it ended in the Class 4A regional semifinals against host Cardinal Gibbons.
The Panthers closed out the year at 17-5 following a 25-15, 25-20 and 25-22 setback to the Chiefs (15-10). A total of five players had seven or more kills for Cardinal Gibbons, including junior Fabiana Capone, who led the team with 10.
For Coral Springs Charter, senior Alexandra Bruno led the way with a game-high 11 kills, and eight digs; senior Britney Stella had nine kills, and 6 digs; senior Sarah Henault added seven digs, 11 service points, three aces, and 11 receptions, while senior Sydney Mills finished with 19 assists, and nine digs.
“Yesterday was a big disappointment,” said Harwell of the Oct. 25 loss to Cardinal Gibbons. “It was not even close to our best level of play. Gibbons is a tough team, and to beat them we needed to bring our best game, and unfortunately, our energy fell flat. We could not find our rhythm, and it’s really disappointing to end our season in a situation where the girls did not perform their best.”
To reach the quarterfinal match, Coral Springs Charter upset last year’s Class 4A state runner-up Calvary Christian Academy, 27-25, 25-21 and 25-19 to capture the district championship.
“Beating Calvary was one of the most fulfilling experiences,” Bruno said. “We came out with a synced mentality and goal, which was to win. The main switch in our rotation was having Sam McMillan go right side and Britney Stella go outside…we all knew we had a role to play, and we all individually took on that challenge to produce one of the most poetic games we have ever played.”
It was definitely the cherry on the top for the Panthers, who toppled Calvary Christian for the first time in six meetings dating back to 2010.
“Overall, it was still a great season,” Harwell said. “Having six seniors was a blessing, but even more so was the ability to try to blend this complete mix of old and new players to build a team with the ability to not only compete with but actually defeat state contenders.
“With three freshmen and two sophomores, I know we will continue to work toward that regional championship our team so desperately wants,” she said. “I feel content with our season but even more invigorated for our future.”
It was the third district title in school history. The Panthers won in 2017 and the past two seasons. Coral Springs Charter has two losses to St. Thomas Aquinas, one to Calvary Christian, and two to Cardinal Gibbons.
Harwell said she will miss the graduating senior class.
“An immense amount,” she said. “These girls are my first varsity team. I started coaching varsity during their freshmen year. The relationships I have built with them transcend the court; they are extensions of my heart and of my family, and I hope they will continue to be a part of my life for many years to come. They have shaped me so much as a coach, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity they afforded me to be their coach.”
