Lady Indians ready to embark on quest to win program’s seventh volleyball state championship

VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) – The latter months of the calendar year are the time of year for high school volleyball to take center stage.

That includes the Lady Indians at Venice High School. This is a program that has been one of the most premier on the Suncoast for decades now.

One of those who has helped the Lady Indians build that type of consistent track record is Jay Lanham. He was an assistant coach for many years. Now, he’s entering year two as the head coach. He says he’s already some differences this year compared to his inaugural one as the lead man at the helm.

“Being on the sidelines and listening to what’s going on, and now having to make the decisions of what’s going on is completely different,” Lanham said. “So, it’s an exciting, but also scary time all at the same time.”

Since 1998, the Lady Indians have won six state championships. The last one came in 2022. That was only three years ago. However, it feels like it’s been longer than that for the people at the school. It’s not lost on the girls what the community expects from this program each year.

“You have to have a chip on your shoulder and you have to carry that every time you walk into the gym,” Melissa Apolonio, a senior and one of the leaders on the team, said. “You have to work harder than everyone else and we always have this target on our back because of everything that we’ve had in the past.”

They know this is their last stand to bring another banner to their school, but it’s a challenge they welcome. “We have to keep that in mind everyday and know that we have to take it one game at a time,” Jacey McReynolds, a senior and one of star players, said.

As for Lanham and his staff, they want the girls to have fun and understand that no matter what they will have their backs through thick and thin. “We’re just encouraging them to come in and work hard. Give it their best.”

The Lady Indians get their preseason started on Tuesday when they host Berkeley Prep.

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