Key West traveled to Wesley Chapel for the Florida GEM High School volleyball tournament on Sept. 12 and 13. The tournament hosted over 70 varsity teams for some of the best competition anywhere in the state. The Conchs captured first place in the Silver Division, losing just one match. Key West beat teams from as far away as South Carolina to bring home the trophy. The Conchs now turn their attention closer to home, with a series of in-county matches in the coming weeks. They’ll leave Monroe County just one more time prior to districts.
At the other end of the Keys, Coral Shores blanked the Dolphins of Marathon 3-0 on Sept. 9 for win number seven on the season. Aces were wild, with Celene Walker picking up four, Shelby Lynn and Jillian Thiery with three and Coralyn Frimpter, Ivy Tiedemann and Abby Leigh with one each. Lynn, Maddie Jordan and Alexandria Burson all had 100% service percentage, making it difficult for the Dolphins to get their own offense started. Meanwhile, the Hurricane hitters were strong, with Walker leading the way with seven kills, Frimpter with five and Violet Matthews with four.
Two nights later, the Lady ’Canes fell to Westwood Christian, but the Warriors had to work for the win. Coral Shores lost the first set, then battled back, winning sets two and three. The Warriors then swept the final two to make it 3-2 and give the Hurricanes a 7-4 record as they head into the final three weeks of the regular season.
