The girls volleyball team entered the district three championship on Thursday night against Winter Park with momentum, after a 3-1 win in district semifinals over Boone. The victory had given the team a boost heading into one of their biggest matches of the season, with the goal to recapture the district title for the first time since 2022 and strengthen their postseason position.
Hosted at Winter Park High School, the district championship match brought together two of the area’s most competitive programs. Winter Park has been consistently ranked this season as first in the state, winning the 7A state championship in 2024 as well as being runner-ups in the state championship in 2023. Hagerty is ranked No. 13 in the state, and was the runner-up in the 7A state championship in 2022.
The team came out with energy and had some momentum shifts go their way, but in the end Winter Park’s steady performance and experience carried the Wildcats to a 3-0 victory, with set scores of 25-18, 25-10, and 25-15.
Based on their high ranking before the match, Hagerty will qualify for the FHSAA regional playoffs, keeping their season alive as the postseason begins. The team will find out their seeding and opponent when the regional brackets are released Sunday. While Thursday’s result was not the outcome they hoped for, it provided valuable experience to guide the team’s ongoing post-season preparation and play.
“I think playing such a good team, we fought back and did our best to keep our composure,” said senior right-side Jenness Orcutt.
The team wrapped up the season with an 18-5 record and a strong district run, earning the No. 2 seed in Class 7A District 7. After defeating Boone in the semifinals and falling to Winter Park in the finals, they still secured a regional playoff spot. Their postseason journey continues in the FHSAA Class 7A bracket, where they will face tougher competition in hopes of advancing further.
“It feels good making it to the postseason because it shows all our hard work has paid off and our season isn’t finished yet,” senior middle blocker Sophia Wattles said.
