Sunlake
At a glance
Coach: Elyse Garcia
Class: 6A, District 5
Last season: 13-4, lost in region quarterfinals
Key players: MH/OH Kylie Ciani, Sr.; DS Johanna Dittman, Sr.; S/DS Maryanne Lugo, Jr.; MH/OH Zoe Van Putten, So.; MH/OH Alice Stryker, Jr.;
Schedule
Aug. 24 vs. Pasco, 7
Aug. 31 at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30
Sept. 2 at Gulf, 7
Sept. 9 at Mitchell, 7
Sept. 14 at Land O’ Lakes, 7:30
Sept. 16 vs. Cypress Creek, 7
Sept. 21 at Zephyrhills, 7:30
Sept. 24-25 at Fivay Tournament
Sept. 30 at Fivay, 7
Oct. 5 vs. Anclote, 7
Oct. 7 vs. Wesley Chapel, 7:30
Oct. 12 vs. Zephyrhills, 7:30
Outlook
The Seahawks were the Class 6A, District 7 runnerup last season. They are now in 6A-5, a district that no longer includes East Lake, the team that beat Sunlake in last year’s district final. The biggest task for the Seahawks is replacing Brette Heymann, who had 191 kills and 186 digs last season and was a first-team selection in the East Division of the Sunshine Athletic Conference. There still is plenty of experience in the lineup with nearly everyone else returning. The top offensive threat is Kylie Ciani, who had a team-leading 218 kills and 67 blocks last season. Two newcomers, Kendyl Okin and Zayda Thomas, could be key contributors as middle blockers.