Florida All Stars Shine Bright in High-Level Senior Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>2025 Prep Dig Exposure Tour</strong> is officially LIVE!! We're hitting 20+ cities across the country this winter to give athletes a platform to compete,get seen, and level up. <strong>Use Code: JeanpierrePD25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florida's Best Take Center Court at the 2025 FACA All-Star Volleyball Match</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">On Saturday morning, November 22 at 10 a.m., some of Florida's top senior volleyball talent stepped onto the court for the annual <strong>Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) All-Star Volleyball Match</strong>—an event backed by more than 60 years of tradition. As one of the nine All-Star sports the FACA proudly showcases, volleyball once again brought together standout players from across <strong>24 statewide districts</strong>, representing the very best the Sunshine State has to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none","layout":{"type":"flex","flexWrap":null}} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":909894,"width":"150px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02221.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-909894" style="width:150px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909906,"width":"150px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02223.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-909906" style="width:150px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A Selection Process Rooted in Excellence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To earn a coveted All-Star invitation, athletes must be seniors and chosen through district-level coaches' votes, though participation varies by region. Even so, the mission remains the same every single year: provide athletes with a competitive, joyful, and memorable experience playing with and against talent equal to their own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This fall, 21 athletes accepted the invitation, forming two elite teams—Blue and Red—guided by two of Florida's top coaches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none","layout":{"type":"flex","flexWrap":null}} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":909919,"width":"175px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02242-crop-951x625-1763949344.jpg?1763981641" alt="" class="wp-image-909919" style="width:175px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909920,"width":"175px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02246-crop-868x570-1763949451.jpg?1763981641" alt="" class="wp-image-909920" style="width:175px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Austin Langteigne (Beachside High School)</strong>, The Blue Team – <em>Coach of the Year</em><br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Leanna Taylor (Tampa Prep)</strong>, The Red Team– <em>Coach of the Year</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their leadership set the tone for a fast-paced, aggressive, and highly skilled match that immediately energized the gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue Team Dominance: Fast Tempo, Full-System Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the opening whistle, the Blue Team demonstrated a balanced, high-speed offense that kept the Red team scrambling. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='333125' first='Adriana' last='Jeanpierre'] and Natalie Gibson were in full command of the court, using crisp tempo and quick reads to create constant pressure through the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909890,"width":"150px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02350.jpg?w=737" alt="" class="wp-image-909890" style="width:150px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Firepower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue's offensive rhythm flowed through their powerful middle duo:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='538548' first='London' last='Adkins'] (#15)<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Emily Drier (#13)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both attacked in rhythm, forcing blockers to honor every route and opening attacking lanes for pins and back-row hitters. The relentless middle action created mismatches that Blue exploited repeatedly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Backbone</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anchoring the backcourt was #22 [player_tooltip player_id='532296' first='Avery' last='Stephens'], the eventual Blue Team MVP, alongside #17 [player_tooltip player_id='807257' first='Samaya' last='Hennessy']. Stephens played with electric speed, clean reads, and a fearless pursuit mentality that shut down seams and erased scoring chances. Hennessy complemented her with smooth movement and quick reactions, forming a defensive tandem that stabilized the entire team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Highlight — [player_tooltip player_id='836517' first='Natasha' last='Casey'] (#14), Right-Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909903,"width":"175px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02319.jpg?w=1002" alt="" class="wp-image-909903" style="width:175px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Casey was one of the most dynamic athletes on the court. Exceptionally agile with explosive transitions, she consistently:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Set a disciplined, well-timed block</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attacked confidently from both pins</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Took smart second-ball swings (“over in two”)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Became the primary offensive option when she rotated in</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her versatility and intensity elevated Blue's front-row presence throughout the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With attacks coming from outside, middle, right-side, and back-row options, the Blue team kept Red on their heels, often forcing them into one-arm emergency touches. Their aggressive ball movement was the foundation of their early lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Team: Tenacity, Heart, and a Mid-Match Surge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Red Team fell behind early, they never lost their competitive spark. From the second set onward, Red leaned heavily into a “use everyone” approach, striving to involve all attackers and stretch Blue's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":910058,"width":"175px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02291-crop-677x444-1763982450.jpg?w=676" alt="" class="wp-image-910058" style="width:175px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left"><strong>Back-Row Hustle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A key defensive spark came from #8, [player_tooltip player_id='491956' first='Leilani' last='Lawrence'],&nbsp; who covered the entire end line with speed and grit. Whether she could square her platform or not, she ensured the ball stayed playable, giving Red second-chance opportunities that shifted momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid-Match Momentum Swing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down 0–2, Red stormed back to take an 18–14 lead fueled by high energy, improved blocking, and clean transitions. Their defensive intensity rose, and with better tempo, their attackers finally found rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909901,"width":"150px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02331.jpg?w=656" alt="" class="wp-image-909901" style="width:150px" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Highlight — Sara Williams (#12), Middle Blocker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams was the heart of the comeback. She:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Transitioned off the net with urgency</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stayed perfectly in tempo with her setter</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Closed blocks with impressive foot speed</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Found creative ways to stay available offensively</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her ability to read the middle attack and shut it down helped flip the momentum in Red's favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Highlight — [player_tooltip player_id='519236' first='Amelia' last='Mancino'], Outside Hitter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mancino showed advanced shot selection and solid six-rotation reliability throughout the match. From tooling the block to digging hard swings, she became the steady presence Red leaned on as the match tightened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MVP Honors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Blue Team MVP:</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='532296' first='Avery' last='Stephens'], Libero (#22)</em>. Her ability to keep her setters in rhythm allowed Blue Teams offense to stay in attack mode</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Red Team MVP:</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='519236' first='Amelia' last='Mancino'], Outside Hitter</em>. Her all-around impact made her an easy choice for MVP honors.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both played with confidence, precision, and competitive fire—perfect representatives of the FACA All-Star standard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A Fitting Celebration of Senior Talent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By the final whistle, the court was filled with <strong>smiles, high-fives, and genuine respect</strong> among players. The stands were buzzed with excitement, and families cheered for athletes who had poured everything into their high-school careers. Most importantly, the event achieved its goal: every athlete walked away with a memorable experience—one rooted in joy, competition, and statewide camaraderie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 FACA All-Star Volleyball Match was more than a showcase; it was a celebration of Florida seniors who have shaped the sport across their communities. And based on Saturday's energy, the future of Florida volleyball remains incredibly bright.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":909905,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/jgj02224.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-909905" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->