For the first time in decades, Basilica School, formerly Mary Immaculate, participated in varsity athletics last week. The Mariners began their new chapter with a win against Marathon, defeating the Lady Fins 3-1 on Aug. 19.
The former high school, which closed in 1986, has a rich history in athletics on the island. While its doors were once shuttered due to declining enrollment, the school now boasts a waiting list which school president and varsity volleyball coach Robert Wright attributes to its reputation and parents and students seeking faith-based instruction.
“Starting the season with a ‘W’ is always a good thing, especially after taking 38 years off from varsity competition,” Wright said. “Although we won, we were not satisfied with our play overall. We have to bring down our errors.”
In their inaugural match, a genuine team effort led to the victory. Uma Vogan registered a dozen kills, a solo block and assisted on another while hustling for 24 digs. Gloria Slavik killed 8, assisted 18 and earned 21 digs. Olivia Revoredo and Mackenzie Morris each scored a pair of aces and Kayden Davis was perfect at the baseline, landing all 22 of her serves offensively, then adding 11 digs for the Mariners’ defense.
The Mariners defeated Marathon in Key West, but the Fins didn’t go down without a fight. Basilica School got off to an early lead, winning the first set 25-12, but Marathon dug deep in set two, tying it up with a 27-25 win of their own. Sets three and four belonged to the Mariners, who won 25-19 then 25-23 to win their first varsity contest at home, 3-1.
“I was exceptionally proud of our team leaders, juniors Gloria Slavik and Mackenzie Morris,” said Wright. “I was also blown away by the offensive production of two of our middle school starters.”
The Mariners have a handful of juniors on their roster, which is also peppered with middle school students. Despite missing a pair of key athletes until mid-September, Wright feels confident in his team. He said the girls are gaining momentum and getting better every day, making them an interesting addition to Keys volleyball schedules not only this season, but for many to come.
Coral Shores stormed the courts this season, earning a quick 2-0 record with wins over Somerset Silver Palms and Westwood Christian last week. Jarrod Mandozzi, named head coach a few hours before the first regular season match after the resignation of previous head coach Sam Ovalle, was an assistant coach last season with the Hurricanes’ program. Mandozzi had hung up his whistle and was set to enjoy his role as the Lady ’Canes’ number one fan.
“I can tell you I certainly never expected to be here this season,” he said. “I helped Sam last season so I know all of the girls and I’ve had some of them in basketball in the past.”
Ovalle stepped down to attend to personal matters early last week.
“He is an amazing coach and a great friend, so while I didn’t expect to be here and have the time, I made the time for him and the girls when Sam, Rich (Russell) and Ed (Holly) shared the situation,” Mandozzi said.
Though Mandozzi felt a bit shaky about his abrupt takeover, the Lady ’Canes seemed steady on their feet, taking a quick lead over district rival Somerset Silver Palms in their season opener on the road on Aug. 22. But the Stallions battled back and won the first set, 26-24. Coral Shores quickly regrouped and swept the final three sets to win the match 3-1. Mandozzi expressed great pride in his team’s ability to shake off the week’s disappointments and the first set to come back to start their season off in the win column.
The team added to their win count the following night in their home opener against Westwood Christian School in another 3-1 victory. Over the course of both games, Grace Leffler had 20 kills for the ’Canes. Shelby Lynn served up 6 aces and Abby Bergeron added 4 more. Ivy Tiedemann was credited with 33 assists and Lynn assisted 27 times. Niveah Howard led in blocks, denying 13 times with some of them described by Mandozzi as “emphatic.” Sofia Jans chalked up 33 digs in the pair of matches. The next test for the Hurricanes will be an exciting one; they play Basilica School in Tavernier on Sept. 3.
Just across the island from Basilica, Key West enjoyed a season home opener win against Marathon on Aug. 22. The Lady Conchs, led by head coach Kim Butler, won it in three sets, led by Gabby Garcia with a dozen kills against the Fins. Audrey Smith had 8 kills with a .462 attacking efficiency. Reese Haggard earned 19 assists and Garcia and Kuhn were praised for their passing in a game Butler said she was happy to win, but felt it could have been played cleaner.
Hot off their sweep of Marathon, the Conchs hosted Eustis High on Aug. 24. Smith was a standout again with 12 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, 5 blocks and 3 aces. Tess Wright had 4 kills and a .375 efficiency and added a block at the net. Garcia killed 16 Panther shots while Haggard added another 24 assists to her stats. Molly McKnight assisted 12 times and earned 2 aces serving. The gameplay was furious, with both teams showing brilliant hitting and accuracy at the baseline. It would take all five sets to determine a winner, but in the end, Eustis came away with the victory. Key West hosted neighboring Basilica School on Aug. 28 for a newly-rekindled in-town rivalry match (results not available at presstime). The Lady Conchs have another home match scheduled against Boca Raton on Friday, Aug. 30, then have a break in their schedule lasting until a quick trip to Marathon toward the end of September.
Monroe County competition gave Marathon some trouble last week, with losses to Basilica School and Key West High, but the Fins looked great against Mater Bay on Aug. 21. Marathon beat the Rays in three sets, not allowing Mater to score more than 11 in any one game.
Coach Kelley Cruz was happy to get her athletes some experience in the match. “We were able to get everyone some playing time,” she said. Cruz was still trying to figure out her best lineup, but the past week has allowed for Marathon to get the right fit at each spot.
“I think we identified roughly who our starting six are,” Cruz said. “Elena (Eubank) showed some impressive skill at the net. She was able to showcase her skill of placement. Allison Helms, Tiana Palma and Mia Olivia all shared digs in the back row. Shynell McGuire was a utility player getting kills. Daysi Williams, Sara Strama, Addison Collins and Mackenzie Nielson also shared kills at the net. Mackenzie Budi is always a force in the back row hitting and digging hard hits.”
Up next for the Fins will be a match at Florida Christian on Aug. 30, then they will have a break until Sept. 12, when they travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Sharks of NSU University School.
Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly
