The 2025 high school volleyball regular season officially ended last night, and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) released its final volleyball rankings.
A total of four Alachua County teams received No. 1 seeds in next week’s district tournaments – Newberry, Santa Fe (Alachua), Gainesville and Buchholz.
Despite a 3-1 loss to Buchholz on Sept. 25, which earned a split in the two-game series, Santa Fe ended up as the highest-ranked team in the area at No. 51 overall.
The Raiders (16-9), who are ranked sixth in Class 4A, lost four of their last six games, but that included losses to 3A No 1 Calvary Christian (Clearwater), which is ranked No. 2 overall in Florida, 5A No. 9 Fleming Island (Orange Park), and The Rock, with whom they also split.
Santa Fe will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s 4A-District 5 tournament and will play the winner of Monday’s quarterfinals between No. 5 Eastside seed and No. 4 seed North Marion (Citra). The district semifinals and championship games will be played at Crystal River.
GHS (15-8), which is ranked at No. 8 in Class 5A, is the next highest-ranked area team at No. 54 overall in Florida.
Sophomore Jorryn Dye has grown into a valuable six-rotation outside hitter and leads the team in aces (35), has 185 kills (second to senior Rowan Kage’s 235), and is second behind senior Addyson Hauptman (246) with 201 digs.
“I am proud of my team’s growth this season,” said Gainesville coach Jerica Carter-Mitchell. “Our serving has been more aggressive and accurate, our setters are getting all of our hitters involved and making smart choices, everyone is doing their jobs, and it seems like our team is gelling. I hope that we can keep that momentum going into the postseason.”
They swept The Rock this year and split with rival Buchholz, including a 3-2 win against the Bobcats in the regular season home finale on Oct. 2.
“Beating The Rock both times this year was a great turnaround from last season,” Carter-Mitchell said. “Knowing the young talent that Buchholz had this year, I knew they were going to be a challenge. I am proud that we at least beat them in the Purple Palace. Going 1-1 with Buchholz isn’t ideal, but those matches displayed amazing volleyball from both teams. It just sets a precedent going forward that we will continue to have a healthy rivalry.”
Kage, who had 179 kills as a junior, is second on the team with 27 blocks, and she is third with 159 digs and 28 aces.
“Rowan has been a key to our success; she is irreplaceable, and GHS is lucky to have her,” Carter-Mitchell said. “She is a gamer and hates to lose. She holds high winning standards towards her teammates, which, in turn, helps keep them focused and locked in. She makes incredible shots look effortless.”
Kage will play collegiately at the University of West Florida.
“Rowan is also a great server and defender,” Carter-Mitchell said. “She is going to continue playing at my alma mater (UWF) and for my former coach, Melissa Wolter. The Argos are getting a great player and I’m excited to follow her volleyball career in college.”
GHS earned the top seed in 5A-District 5 and will host either No. 5 seed Belleview or No. 4 seed Leesburg. The district championship game will be played at Lecanto on Thursday.
“I would prefer to have competitive games this week,” Carter-Mitchell said about not playing a game since last Thursday. “However, giving everyone a break from competition also gives the girls time to recover from any injuries or ailments. We were able to focus on certain skills this week, as well as work on agility and conditioning. I am hoping that having over a week off from competition does not affect us in the postseason.”
Buchholz (17-5) is next in the rankings at No. 58 overall and No. 11 in Class 6A.
The Bobcats’ 17 wins are the most since Buchholz finished 22-6 and advanced to the Class 6A-Region 1 Final under current Santa Fe College coach Bailey Coleman.
They also ended a 9-game losing streak to rival GHS and an 11-game losing streak to Santa Fe in 2025.
“It’s been a great season for sure, every loss that we had was a quality loss against a really good team and each of those losses helped us get better as a team,” said Buchholz coach Andre Medina. “The main reason why we have had so much success this year is how close the athletes on the team are. They are all great friends off the court, and it really shows in the way they play, even when the moments get tough.”
Taylor Sembower has had a phenomenal freshman year with a team-leading 228 kills.
“Taylor is arguably the most well-rounded volleyball player in the area,” Medina said. “She’s an awesome human being off court, who works her butt off in practice and is a great teammate as well. She’s the full package and every coach’s dream athlete to coach. She’s an athlete that gives effort always, does what you ask her to, and is a positive teammate as well. Couldn’t ask for much more.”
She’s tied for second with 33 aces and second with 148 digs and 19 blocks.
“Play-wise, everyone talks about her kills, but her biggest impact for us is her first contact,” Medina said. “She covers more than half our court in serve receive and defense with her ability to see and read the game, and then her athleticism to get to the ball, and finally the skill to put a quality contact on said ball. The most underrated thing people talk about with her is how well she sees the game as a freshman.”
The Bobcats, who are the No. 1 seed in 6A-District 2, are riding a six-game winning streak. They will play either No. 5 seed Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine), which is hosting the district semifinals and championship game, or No. 4 seed Oakleaf (Orange Park) on Tuesday in the district semifinals.
“A week off helps since we were able to go practice and work on some things on our side of the court that needed some attention,” said Medina, whose team hasn’t played since Oct. 6. “We are also looking forward to having that bye on Monday so we can prepare for who we may see in the semis. We are on a win streak for sure, but postseason is a different animal. The best team on the night and whoever executes the best that night will come out on top.”
Newberry finished 17-8 and earned the top seed in 3A-District 5.
“When we set our goals at the beginning of the year, goal No. 1 was to be ranked No. 1 going into the district tournament and we achieved that,” said Newberry coach Hank Rone. “This team has embraced a ‘next player up’ mentality all season. We were banged up for about five weeks and had a couple of key players out, but others stepped up and filled those roles. That depth and resilience really carried us. Finishing with 17 wins is a solid year by any standard, and now we’re excited to shift into ‘Season 2’ with the postseason ahead.”
The Panthers also have a star in the making in freshman Carly Meyers, who leads the team with 276 kills.
“Carly is one of those generational players,” Rone said. “She’s a great athlete with a high volleyball IQ, and she’s really burst onto the scene this year as a hitter. What she’s done as a freshman, leading the team in kills, is a phenomenal accomplishment, but what makes her even more special is her humility and team-first attitude. She’s always smiling, never gets rattled after a mistake, and just loves being around her teammates. She truly embodies what it means to be a Panther. Our setters, passers, and everyone around her have really helped put her in a position to shine this season.”
Keystone Heights (16-9) is the No. 2 seed and will host No. 3 seed Crescent City in the district semifinals, while the Panthers will host either No. 4 seed Palatka or No. 5 seed Interlachen in the other semifinal. If Newberry wins, they will host the district championship game on Thursday.
“Our district is really balanced, on any given night, anyone can win,” Rone said. “Interlachen has pushed matches to five sets, Keystone has battled us tough, Crescent City has beaten both us and Palatka, and we lost a five-setter to Palatka. It’s been great competition across the board. With our five schools, the matchups are so evenly played that every round in the district tournament should be tight. I don’t see anyone going down easily. It’s going to be an exciting week of volleyball.”
Oak Hall had a remarkable turnaround thanks to coach Perry McDonald’s brief return.
The Eagles were 4-10 at the time he was hired on an interim basis, and they won eight of their final nine games with McDonald as coach, including Thursday night’s sweep of rival Saint Francis Catholic Academy.
Their strong finish earned them the No. 2 seed in 2A-District 1 and a home playoff game on Tuesday in the district semifinals against Monday’s quarterfinal winner between No. 3 seed Destin and No. 6 P.K. Yonge, who are playing their game at top-seed Maclay (Tallahassee).
“We are all elated about how far the team has come in the past 19 days and the entire program is ecstatic about receiving a bye and a home match for the district semifinals,” McDonald said. “The confidence and unity that this team is developing is tremendous and we can hardly wait to prepare for our next opponent. I could not possibly be prouder of the work ethic and character that these young women embody. Their poise and perseverance exemplify what is right about youth sports and I am humbled to be along for the ride.”
McDonald’s time was limited, and he is only available to coach one more game.
“I will be preparing and coaching in the district semis,” he said. “I depart Wednesday before the district championship. In countless great works of fiction, young heroes often experience their cathartic moments of growth when a mentor or teacher passes. I’m hopeful that the Lady Eagles will embrace their Luke Skywalker opportunity without me on Thursday.”
One of the toughest districts in the state is Rural District 6.
Branford, which is ranked No. 1 in the state in the Rural classification, is the top seed, followed by Lafayette (Mayo), which is fourth in the state, and No. 5-ranked Union County (Lake Butler).
Union County (18-7) will host the district semifinals and the district championship game. The Tigers will host No. 6 seed Taylor County (Perry) in Monday’s district quarterfinals.
“It’s very exciting,” said Union County coach Tifani Knox. “It’s the first time that I’m going to get to coach or to host as a head coach in four years, so we’re very excited for the opportunity. Home court advantage makes a big difference. You saw our student section show up tonight (a sweep of district foe Dixie County on Monday, Oct. 6), and they were very loud. That’s intimidating, so we enjoy that.”
Three of the top five teams in the state reside in the district.
“It’s been that way for a long time, so it’s kind of disappointing that the FHSAA doesn’t move some teams around because the other districts aren’t as strong, and that means that the best four teams aren’t always making it to the Final Four, so hopefully they’ll take that into account,” Knox said. “But it makes for some great volleyball. It really, really does. Last year, we had lost to Lafayette twice and we ended up surprising them in the districts and beat them twice, so I’m looking forward to some good volleyball.”
2025 FHSAA Volleyball District Tournaments
Times are subject to change
Area teams in bold
Rural-District 6 – Semifinals & Championship at Union County (Lake Butler)
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
6 Taylor County (Perry) at 3 Union County (Lake Butler), 7 p.m.
5 Bell at 4 Dixie County (Cross City), 7 p.m.
7 Fort White at 2 Lafayette (Mayo), 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
1 Branford vs. 5 Bell/4 Dixie County winner
2 Lafayette/7 Fort White winner vs. 3 Union County/6 Taylor County winner
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 7 p.m.
Rural-District 7 – at Higher seed
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 Bronson at 4 Cedar Key, 6 p.m.
6 Wildwood at 3 Trenton, 6 p.m.
7 Hawthorne at 2 Chiefland, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
5 Bronson/4 Cedar Key winner at 1 Williston, 6 p.m.
6 Wildwood/ 3 Trenton winner vs. 7 Hawthorne/ 2 Chiefland winner, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 1A-District 4 – Semifinals & Championship at Redeemer Christian (Ocala)
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 St. John Lutheran (Ocala) at 4 Countryside Christian, 6 p.m.
6 Hernando Christian Academy (Brooksville) at 3 Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto), 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
5 St. John Lutheran (Ocala)/4 Countryside Christian winner at 1 Meadowbrook Academy (Ocala), 5 p.m.
2 Redeemer Chrisian (Ocala) vs. 6 Hernando Christian Academy (Brooksville)/3 Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) winner, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 2A-District 1 – Semifinals/Championship at Higher Seed
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals) – at Maclay (Tallahassee)
3 Destin vs. 6 P.K. Yonge, 4 p.m.
4 Saint Francis Catholic Academy vs. 5 Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville), 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
3 Destin/6 P.K. Yonge winner at 2 Oak Hall, 6 p.m.
4 Saint Francis Catholic Academy/5 Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville) winner at 1 Maclay (Tallahassee), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 3A-District 4 – at Higher seed
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
4 Bradford (Starke) at 1 Wolfson (Jacksonville), 6 p.m.
3 Episcopal (Jacksonville) at 2 Bolles (Jacksonville), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 3A-District 5 – at Higher seed
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 Interlachen at 4 Palatka, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
3 Crescent City at 2 Keystone Heights, 6 p.m.
4 Palatka/ 5 Interlachen winner at 1 Newberry, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 4A-District 2 – at Higher seed
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
3 Godby (Tallahassee) at 2 Suwannee (Live Oak), 6 p.m.
4 Rickards (Tallahassee) at 1 Wakulla (Crawfordville), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 4A-District 5 – District semifinals & championship at Crystal River
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 Eastside at 4 North Marion (Citra), 7 p.m.
6 Dunnellon at 3 Lake Weir (Ocala), 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
1 Santa Fe (Alachua) vs. 4 North Marion (Citra) / 5 Eastside winner, 6:30 p.m.
2 Crystal River vs. 3 Lake Weir (Ocala) /6 Dunnellon winner, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 7 p.m.
Class 5A-District 2 – at Higher seed
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
3 Lincoln (Tallahassee) at 2 Leon (Tallahassee), 6 p.m.
4 Columbia (Lake City) at 1 Chiles (Tallahassee), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 6 p.m.
Class 5A-District 5 – at Higher seed (Championship at Lecanto)
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 Belleview at 4 Leesburg, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
5 Belleview / 4 Leesburg winner at 1 Gainesville, 7 p.m.
3 Vanguard (Ocala) at 2 Lecanto, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 7 p.m.
Class 6A-District 2 – Semifinals & Championship at Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine)
Monday, Oct. 13 (Quarterfinals)
5 Oakleaf (Orange Park) at 4 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine), 6 p.m.
7 First Coast (Jacksonville) at 2 Fletcher (Neptune Beach), 6 p.m.
6 Nease (Ponte Vedra) at 3 Bartram Trail (St. Johns), 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 (Semifinals)
5 Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine)/ 4 Oakleaf (Orange Park) winner vs. 1 Buchholz, TBA
7 First Coast (Jacksonville) / 2 Fletcher (Neptune Beach) winner vs. 6 Nease (Ponte Vedra) /3 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) winner, TBA
Thursday, Oct. 16 (Championship)
TBD, 7 p.m.