Sports
Vero Beach, South Fork seeded high for regionals
The climb back to Tallahassee is setting up to be steeper than years past for the Vero Beach High beach volleyball team. Still, continued success for the program hasn’t been predicated on simply turning on a light switch. An approach sustained since the season’s opening serve has carried the team to yet another district championship. […]
The climb back to Tallahassee is setting up to be steeper than years past for the Vero Beach High beach volleyball team.
Still, continued success for the program hasn’t been predicated on simply turning on a light switch. An approach sustained since the season’s opening serve has carried the team to yet another district championship. And if all goes right, Vero hopes that momentum will roll through regionals.
Vero Beach captured its fourth consecutive district title after collecting 5-0 sweeps over Melbourne and Viera on Thursday during the District 7-3A tournament from Vero Beach High School. The team learned that it earned the No. 3 seed in the Region 2-3A tournament after the FHSAA announced regional brackets on Friday morning.
“Obviously, this feels great. We’re really proud of the work these girls put in,” Vero Beach head coach Matt Heath said. “It’s really validating to have success year after year.”
Vero was the top seed in district while the Bulldogs were seeded fourth. The Hawks, who advanced to the district final with a 3-1 win over No. 3 Bayside, were the No. 2 seed.
The hosts had no trouble through much of the lineup as four of their five duo didn’t drop a set: No. 1 Cora Darling/Grace Lee, No. 2 Taylie Hansen/Tori Malone, No. 3 Savannah Seaman/Ella Campione and No. 5 Giada Skarlis/Abigail Tucker.
The No. 4 pairing of Paige Keen and Abigail Tucker dropped a set in its match against Viera, but railled to win 2-1.
With wins in its last four matches, Vero Beach improved its record to 11-1 this season. Eight of the team’s victories have come in 5-0 sweeps.
Vero aims to go 4-for-4. Like districts, the team in its fourth year of existence is in search of its fourth state tournament appearance. However, unlike previous years, Vero may have to play twice as an away team before making it to Tallahassee.
Jupiter is the top seed in the region while undefeated Winter Park is seeded second. Vero Beach handed the Warriors their only loss in a 3-2 battle on April 8. Unlike that match, another meeting between the two teams would be played in Jupiter with the regional title at stake.
However, Vero Beach has prepared for this journey not just with its play on the sand, but its work off of it. Heath has placed an emphasis on meditation with hope of putting things in perspective and visualizing the path ahead.
“We’ve been working on the mental side all year. … I’ve tried to make them realize that the physical is only half the battle.” Heath said. “We’ve got to be strong mentally and physically.
In a rematch of the district title match, Vero Beach plays host to Viera at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Fort Pierce Central also qualified for the playoffs in Region 2-3A. The No. 7 Cobras (6-3) will play at Winter Park.
Elsewhere, fresh off capturing its first-ever district crown, South Fork is the No. 3 seed in Region 4-2A. The Bulldogs play host to No. 6 Archbishop McCarthy at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Tuesday’s regional matches
Region 2-3A quarterfinal
No. 6 Viera (10-6) at No. 3 Vero Beach (11-1)
No. 7 Fort Pierce Central (6-3) at No. 2 Winter Park (12-0)
Region 4-2A quarterfinal
No. 6 Archbishop McCarthy (9-6) at No. 3 South Fork (13-3)
Get 50% off NFHS Network subscription
Want to watch FHSAA regional beach volleyball action but can’t make it to the sand courts? Well, Treasure Coast fans can get 50% off a subscription by using the code SPRING50 when you go to NFHSnetwork to buy a monthly subscription. Then go watch your favorite teams as they play toward a state title. The code is good through April 30.
Road Trip Essentials
Expedia: Shop discounted airfare, transportation and more
Kayak: Save on flights, hotels, and more
Airbnb: Travel with the privacy of your own home
Top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger
Best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus
Last-minute supplies: Walmart has you covered
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.