Junior Madison Schwartz and sophomore Layla Miller from the girls beach volleyball team were down 15-7 in the second set after winning the first against Charlotte. They did not back down and went on an eight point streak to tie it up. They were able to hold them off, winning the set 21-18. This led to the girls winning against Charlotte 5-0 on May 13 and they advanced to the regional quarterfinal championship.

“Being able to play up at FSU was so much fun and encouraged us to do our best in that game,” Schwartz said.

After rain delays pushed the start time back, the girls played late the same night in the regional final against Westminster Catholic. The team struggled with a different game structure as their lineup—first through fifth—all played at the same time instead of back-to-back. They also played at 10 p.m., much later than they were used to.

“Playing at 10 p.m. was hard. They were a very well structured and trained team and we just could not outscore them,” junior Mayte Camacho said.

The only team that won was the third. The first, second and fourth lost before the fifth could finish their game.

“As a team we were all tired and we were only halfway through at 11 p.m.,” Schwartz said. “In the last set we lacked communication and it caused us to lose.”

Even though the team wished they could have gone farther than they did, they are still proud of what they were able to accomplish this season.

“The score did not determine how hard we played as a team,” Camacho said. “We only lost to two teams that went to the finals.”

In the championship, New Smyrna Beach, the only team that beat Hagerty during the regular season, swept Westminster Catholic, the team that beat them in the playoffs, 3-0.

The team improved throughout the season, not letting any setback lessen their morale. Providing encouragement to each other allowed them to further bond together.

“We supported each other on and off the field no matter what was going on,” Schwartz said. “I am proud of how skilled this team is, and the fact that we have no seniors this year makes it even more exciting to see what we will accomplish next season.”