Volleyball preview: No. 17 Carrollwood Day

Carrollwood Day

At a glance

Coach: Chad Mercado

Class: 3A, District 5

Last season: 19-8, lost in region semifinals

Key players: L/DS Jessie Golden, Sr.; OH Jasmine Welton, Sr.

Schedule

Aug. 25 at Anclote, 7:30

Aug. 26 vs. Berkeley Prep, 5:30

Aug. 31 vs. Academy of the Holy Names, 6:30

Sept. 3 vs. Northside Christian, 6:30

Sept. 7 at Brooks DeBartolo, 6:30

Sept. 14 at Tampa Prep, 6

Sept. 17-18 at Berkeley Prep Premier Tournament

Sept. 20 at Patel, 6:30

Sept. 24-25 at Academy of the Holy Names Tournament

Sept. 28 vs. Anclote, 7:30

Sept. 30 vs. Brooks DeBartolo, 6:30

Oct. 6 vs. Patel, 6:30

Oct. 7 vs. Bishop McLaughlin, 5:30

Oct. 12 at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7:30

Oct. 14 at Calvary Christian, 6:30

Outlook

The Patriots had a solid showing last season, sweeping Clearwater Central Catholic in the region quarterfinals before losing to eventual state semifinalist Bishop McLaughlin in the next round. Chad Mercado, a first-year coach, said the biggest task is replacing a lot of offensive firepower. Gia Padilla, who led the team in kills (372) and was second in digs (253), has graduated. To compensate, Mercado said his team will have to rely on serving and defense. There still is plenty of talent with Jessie Golden (team-leading 376 digs last season) and Jasmine Welton (258 kills) among those returning. There are other solid contributors, too, such as Laney Higgins.