On Wednesday night, a pair of Santa Fe (Alachua) volleyball players signed to play at the next level.
Jalyn Stout signed with Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina and will play for the Division-I Chanticleers.
“The campus is absolutely gorgeous, and the girls there are super sweet,” Stout said. “The coaches reminded me a lot of Coach Eric, which had a lot to do with my decision. In general, I think it will be a great area for me. I am excited.”
Anisa Dorlouis signed with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Maryland and will play for the Division-I Hawks.
“I chose the school because of the coaching staff and the team environment,” Dorlouis said. “When I stepped foot in the locker room, I could tell from the energy I could fit in there. Everyone made me feel welcome and heard.”
Last month the Raiders (30-2) defeated the Academy of the Holy Names (Tampa) in four sets, 25-13, 21-25, 25-12, 25-14, to win the Class 4A state title.
Stout, who was named the 2022 Florida Miss Volleyball, for the second year in a row, led Santa Fe to its second straight Class 4A title with 563 kills, 368 assists, 245 digs, 55 aces, and a .433 hitting percentage.
“Jalyn is a unicorn,” Santa Fe coach Eric Marshall said. “She is that one-in-a-million kid. She can do everything. There is not one thing she can’t do at the highest level. Then add that she can lead and push her teammates without thinking she is a big shot is just rare.”
Stout is the second player ever to claim back-to-back Miss Volleyball titles.
“Coach told me this morning, and I didn’t believe it,” Stout said. “I genuinely mean it when I say I couldn’t do half the stuff I’ve done without him. It is hard for me to wrap my head around all of it. I am so grateful.”
Dorlouis contributed to the title with 246 kills, 47 service aces, 12 blocks, 326 digs, and 446 assists.
“I’ve coached Anisa for about three years, and she is extremely athletic,” Marshall said. “She had to build her confidence, not her ability. She thrives in this sport from her speed, so she can find ways to use that to her advantage.”
Meanwhile, Marshall was recognized as the runner-up for Coach of the Year for the state of Florida.
“It feels good,” Marshall said. “I talked to the guy who won it today, a friend of mine. I think he deserved it. He was not the favorite in 7A, and so to be able to do what he did at the end is good coaching. He certainly deserves it.”
In five years, he has compiled a 127-30 record, two state titles, and a pair of state runner-up finishes (2018-19).
But for the coach, it’s all about the girls.
“If my girls don’t get recognition, then that is when I will think something wrong because they deserve it,” Marshall said. “I want these girls to be good where they are going.