Just mention Lake Highland Prep to Montverde Academy's senior volleyball players, and their expression changes.
Reserved calm turns into an immediate broad smile. But it's a smile that masks previous playoff losses and frustrations. It's a smile that screams, "Give us another chance."
"That's a team that we've always had a battle with," Montverde senior middle hitter Suhmer Henriques said. And we've always really looked forward to beating them. I definitely do feel that there is some strong rivalry there."
Montverde (12-12) will get another chance against Lake Highland Prep (14-10) in the District 6-3A championship on Thursday. Oct. 15.
Lake Highland Prep has ended the Eagles season the past three years, including the last two in the regional championship.
"We know them," Henriques said. "This is our fourth time playing them. Like, we know them a lot. We know their strategy. They always come in very fierce. They're one of our biggest competitors just because of their attitude and their mindset is very similar to ours.
"So, we're just ready for anything that comes our way. And honestly, we have a really strong chance this year."
How Montverde volleyball got ready for the playoffs
Montverde has played a very challenging schedule to prepare for the postseason, and what was an expected date with the Highlanders.
Lake Highland Prep won the Class 3A state title in 2024 and was the state runner-up last season.
"I think that are very determined throughout the game," Montverde senior setter Kristina Vargas said. "I think what makes it hard that even when you're beating them, they don't look like they're getting beat. They're always so focused, always so determined. So, it's definitely hard."
Montverde will lean heavily on its experienced core against Lake Highland Prep. That includes both Vargas and Henriques, who both have rewritten the school's record books this year.
Henriques broke the school record for career blocks, a mark she said is a credit to years of hard work.
"It shows a lot of the dedication," she said. "Not only being in the weight room or on the court, but also mentally. That I was always there for the team no matter what. It just shows how much hard work I've put in over the years. It just feels amazing. I'm a senior. I'll be able to leave something and leave my name in the record books."
Vargas set the school record for career assists and within striking distance of 1,000 — a mark she very well could reach in the district final.
"It would be a huge accomplishment," Vargas said. "Especially because we only have a couple games left. But I think it would honestly be amazing. It would be any amazing thing for me. I'm sure it would be an amazing thing for the team. I think it would just mean so much to all of us."
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Montverde volleyball seeks redemption against familiar foe for title
