King’s Academy volleyball just ended a two-decade-long wait, capturing the Class 3A state championship on Wednesday night in Winter Haven. The Lions took down Pine Crest, 3-1, in an absolute battle with set scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, and 25-19. This isn’t just a win, folks, it is the program’s first state title in 20 years, a truly historic moment.
The Lions Roared, Then Weathered a Storm
King’s Academy, coming into the match with an impressive 25-5 record, started strong, showing everyone they meant business. They grabbed control late in the first set with a monstrous 7-1 run that forced Pine Crest to burn two timeouts, but it was no use. The Lions kept the pedal down, closing out the set with a 6-2 run. Ava Maldonado even celebrated an ace, setting the tone early. But credit to Pine Crest, who wasn’t going to roll over. The Panthers, sitting at 20-11, flipped the script in the second set, orchestrating their own 8-2 run to overcome King’s Academy’s early surge. Coach Avila called a timeout, trying to settle her Lions down, but Pine Crest won that roller-coaster race to 25, taking advantage of a few late errors. Suddenly, the match was tied 1-1, and you knew King’s Academy had to dig deep.
Anabelle Bencosme and Yasmin Nunes Made the Difference
With the championship on the line and the score knotted up, the Lions absolutely had to find another gear. The third set saw a picture-perfect start, with freshman Yasmin Nunes delivering a block for a kill and a clean tip-over that sent the traveling King’s fans into a frenzy. Their dance moves were almost as intense as the celebration on the court as the Lions took control of the scoreboard. But Pine Crest refused to yield, even facing a deficit of nearly 10 points. They clawed their way back with a six-point run, getting right back into striking distance. The crowd chanted for “resiliency,” and King’s Academy found its ground, closing things out for match point. The fourth set was all about Anabelle Bencosme, whose dominant play cemented the victory. This team, led by coaches Bethany Avila and Haley Lane, last appeared in a state final in 2007 and hadn’t won a championship since 2006.
This win on Wednesday night isn’t just a trophy; it ushers in a new era for King’s Academy volleyball. What a statement!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply