Osceola

At a glance

Coach: Ashley Martin

Class: 5A, District 9

Last season: 15-8

Key players: OH/RS Olivia Dal Sasso; S Nikki Fowler; MB Lauren Lewis; L Taylor Loope. 

Schedule

Aug. 24 vs. Calvary Christian, 7

Aug. 25 vs. Hollins, 7:30

Aug. 27 vs. Gibbs, 7

Aug. 30 at Keswick Christian, 6:30

Sept. 2 at Northeast, 7:45

Sept. 7 vs. Boca Ciega, 7:45

Sept. 8 vs. East Lake, 7:30

Sept. 10-11 at tournament

Sept. 16 at St. Petersburg, 7:45

Sept. 20 vs. Pinellas Park, 7:30

Sept. 24-25 at tournament

Sept. 30 at Countryside, 7:45

Oct. 1 at East Lake, 7

Oct. 5 vs. Tarpon Springs, 7:30

Oct. 7 at Lakewood, 7

Oct. 12 vs. Academy of the Holy Names, 6

Oct. 14 at tournament

Outlook

The Warriors, who made the Class 5A region finals in 2019, had to forfeit their district quarterfinal match last season because their entire junior varsity and varsity teams  were forced to quarantine because of a positive coronavirus test. Osceola, which stayed in 5A, is the clear favorite in its new district (5A-9). After all, the Warriors are the only team in it that likely would have made the playoffs last season. Three starters from 2020 — Kyla Barker, Sandy Cao and Nadia Lewis — all graduated. But there is a trio of talented freshmen, along with some juniors, who can fill those voids. The offense will be led by Olivia Dal Sasso (131 kills last season), Lauren Lewis (95 kills) and Nikki Fowler (174 assists). Also returning is Taylor Loope, who led the team a year ago in digs with 223.