SW FL HS Roundup: Class 1A state golf underway; CSN, Seacrest celebrate college signees

Posted by Admin November 12, 2024 Golf

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This is a Southwest Florida high school roundup of boys and girls soccer games, early signing day ceremonies, and cross country, golf, and swimming FHSAA postseason events held Nov. 11-16, 2024.

TUESDAY

Seacrest Country Day Signing

Five local volleyball talents — all instrumental pieces to the Stingrays’ four-peat — put pen to paper Tuesday afternoon in the gym where they had made countless memories together.

Outside hitter Sami Soderlund (Georgetown), setter Milena Lopez (Charlotte), libero Alexa Haley (FGCU), middle blocker Ellie Joffe (Loyola Maryland), and middle blocker Klaudia Beach (Covenant) all shared a moment, signing with their respective colleges after another 20-win season.

Haley chose to stay close to home, despite fielding countless offers ranging from SEC powers to West Coast programs. The libero ended her prep career with 2,133 digs over five seasons with the team.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was little,” Haley said. “I think our parents put so much effort into this. I’ve sat through so many Signing Days for all the seniors since eighth grade. I’ve looked forward to it so much. It’s so special to be able to actually do it, and I’m just so grateful and blessed that our parents put in so much effort and time to make it so special. The Seacrest community, as a whole, supported us so much. I’m happy and excited to be an Eagle.”

Lopez ended with 2,237 assists as a full-time starter in just two seasons and found a home in North Carolina where many of her relatives still live. Lopez’s parents attended Charlotte as well, making it a good fit for her.

“It almost feels like I’m just going back home,” Lopez said. “I still have family there. My grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, they’re all there. I love my future teammates, I love the campus, and I’m excited.”

Soderlund picked the Hoyas, citing multiple similarities between the Stingrays volleyball program and that of Georgetown. She’ll study marketing in Washington D.C., all while looking to make contributions right away in the Big East.

“Today’s a really special day,” Soderlund said. “This day means so much to me. I grew up here. It’s like my second home. Going to Georgetown, I find a lot of similarities with their volleyball team and our volleyball team, because it’s a close-knit community. It’s obviously sad closing this chapter of my life, but I’m super excited to get to open a new one at Georgetown.”

Beach came from Bishop Verot two seasons ago, making the hourlong commute down to South Naples every day. Finding a home in Covenant gave her satisfaction, as her goal of playing collegiate volleyball became a reality.

“It was worth it,” Beach said. “Every single minute of those drives, just knowing that I’m coming here and getting better, I’m surrounding myself with these amazing girls every single day. I think it was worth every second.”

Joffe’s career started in the Pacific Northwest, playing in Washington and Oregon before moving to Florida to play for IMG and Seacrest. Joffe found what she hopes is a long-term home in Baltimore playing for the Greyhounds.

“My volleyball journey has been pretty crazy, so finally signing the paper really sets in that I’ve reached my goals, and it’s something I’ve been dreaming of. I’ve been playing since I was 10, but I’ve been dreaming of this since I was 15, I knew I wanted to play in college. It’s crazy that it’s all setting in, all the hard work, and all the dedication that I’ve put into it. The schools I’ve been to, really helped me get here.

“My mom signed me up for tryouts. I was a soccer player and thought I might as well. I went in and had fun. I was a benchwarmer up until I was 13 or 14, and I think that also set me up to keep it fun and enjoyable once I was on the court and playing. It’s crazy now that I’m 18, going to college for it. I don’t think I thought that was going to happen.”

— Alex Martin

Community School of Naples Signing

Community School of Naples announced its Class of 2025 student-athletes who made early commitments to continue their athletic careers in college. Here are the 13 athletes they honored.

Cole Bryant – Hobart & William Smith College – Men’s Lacrosse; Noah Cardoza – Wagner College – Men’s Lacrosse; Jillian Daley – Lenoir-Rhyne University – Women’s Lacrosse; Taren Hedrick – Ole Miss – Football; Stella Lynch – University of Denver – Women’s Lacrosse; Christian McAuley – Lehigh University – Men’s Swimming; Emrhe Pray – Army – Football; Ava Sparacio – Hofstra University – Women’s Golf; Turner Tarrasch – University of Richmond – Men’s Lacrosse; Sammy Taylor – Flagler College – Men’s Lacrosse; Justin Willems – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Men’s Lacrosse; Cal Wyatt – University of Pennsylvania – Men’s Lacrosse; Sienna Wyatt – Queens University of Charlotte – Women’s Lacrosse.

Class 1A Boys Golf

CSN’s Spencer Ives shot a 1-under 71, including two birdies on the second nine to sit in a tie for sixth place after the first day of the state meet. He’s five strokes off the lead. Marco Island’s Kaden Latreille is in 20th with a 1-over. Bishop Verot is 14th as a team led by Griffin Henry at plus-3 in 36th, Adrian Bahnam at plus-4 in 41st, and Easton Green at plus-6 in 55th.

Class 1A Girls Golf

First Baptist’s Eva Lye is in sixth place after the first round with a 3-under 68, including five birdies. CSN sits ninth as a team at plus-22. The Seahawks are being led by Reilly Kirwin with a plus-4 75 and Sydney Young and Alayna Friedt tied for 46th at plus-5.

Girls Soccer

LaBelle 3, Clewiston 0: Senior Fabiola Solis finished with 2 goals, and junior Alexis Rico with 1 goal and 1 assist.

Oasis 8, Gateway Charter 0: Sharks goals were scored by Hailey Kundinger, Evelyne Davis, Arianna Cates, Rayne Faltinowski, Maddison Davis, Abigail Klages, Kayla Theobald and Bianca Keenan.

ECS 6, Babcock Ranch 0: Madisyn Litwak scored 3 goals, Brooke Foss scored 2 goals, 2 assists, and Taylor Foss had a goal and an assist.

MONDAY

Oasis 2, Ida Baker 0: Oasis broke through with a goal in the first half by Rayne Faltinowski, assisted by Evelyne Davis. Mackenzie Canney added the second goal later in the first half. The Sharks defense did a great job shutting out the Bulldogs’ offense as junior goalie Angelina Acevedo-Montalvo made nine saves.