The Buchholz volleyball team is coming off its best season in the last six years.

However, on Tuesday, head coach Andre Medina announced he was stepping down as varsity head coach as his wife transitions into a new position at her current job in Gainesville.

“It just means I need to be available to her and our household more,” Medina said. “With an already busy spring schedule, getting that time back in the fall and giving that time back to my wife and our household is going be the healthiest thing for us.”

This past season, the Bobcats (20-6) won twice as many games as the 2024 team (10-13), a district title, and a first-round FHSAA playoff game. It was the most victories and the first district title since the 2019 Class 6A regional finalist team finished 22-6 under current Santa Fe College coach Bailey Coleman.

“It was amazing to have Coach Medina as our coach at Buchholz the last two years,” said Buchholz Athletics Director Billy Pankey. “This year, in particular, it was an amazing run to the sweet 16. He was a great leader on and off the court. We will miss his leadership immensely.”

Buchholz, which was one of five Alachua County teams to make the postseason, also ended a 9-game losing streak to rival GHS and an 11-game skid against Santa Fe (Alachua) this past September.

“I can’t say enough about how thankful I am to have been able to coach at BHS,” Medina said. “I wish had more time and was able to see through some goals I had for the program. Being the BHS head coach is no light task, especially with the history for the school and the volleyball program; expectations are high and they must be met. Again, I can’t stress enough how grateful and blessed I am to be able to say I was the head coach of the Buchholz Bobcats.”

Medina is leaving the program in great hands as several key players are expected to return.

Freshman outside hitter Taylor Sembower led the ‘Cats with 274 kills in earning second team Bosshardt Realty All Area honors, along with sophomore middle blocker Aaliyah Ray (43 blocks, 143 kills).

Sophomore Aubrey Waters, an honorable mention selection, was second on the team with 223 kills, while sophomore Izzy Carter led the team with 219 digs and sophomore Julia Almond had a team-best 494 assists.

Almond and Carter were also honorable mention selections.

“They are inheriting a team that is knocking on the door of being a powerhouse,” Medina said. “The foundation is laid from the ground up. The athletes want it, the families want it, the administration wants it. From all fronts, this program is being supported, and I can’t stress enough how much the administration (AD and Principal) have done to help get the program where it is now in two seasons.”

Medina has built a program in a short period of time, and the new coach will reap the rewards of that hard work.

“I took the program on with the knowledge that I had to build from year one to year two,” he said. “Well, it is built and the new head coach should be able to enjoy year three if they come in hitting the ground running.”

Pankey said he has a list of candidates that he will be reaching out to as soon as possible.

“I don’t have a specific time frame, but I do want to act quickly,” he said. “Buchholz is a special place, and the future is extremely bright for the volleyball team. I would expect this job to be a hot commodity. I want to make sure I hire someone who can keep the momentum of this past season and keep setting the bar higher.”

Although he is stepping down as a varsity head coach, Medina will still be coaching at Gainesville Juniors Volleyball Club, where he is not only the coach but also the Recruiting Coordinator there as well.

“We will see what the future holds moving forward as far as high school/fall season goes,” Medina said. “But as of right now, I made the best decision for my household.”