Horizon beats DeLand in 6A volleyball for school’s first FHSAA championship
WINTER HAVEN — Horizon High is only five years old, but the Hawks have grown up fast in volleyball. Six months after their boys volleyball team made a run to the spring state championship game, the Horizon girls made school history Saturday night by claiming the FHSAA Class 6A state championship with a come-from-behind victory against top seed DeLand (28-4). That came one night after the Hawks ...
Winter Haven's Horizon High School girls' volleyball team achieved a historic milestone, securing the 2023 FHSAA Class 6A state championship by defeating top seed DeLand 3-2 in the final match. This marked the Hawks' first-ever championship in school history. The team had previously made a strong run to the state semifinals with their boys' volleyball squad, only six months prior.
The Hawks, with a record of 27-3, overcame a 3-0 deficit in their semifinal match against Venice, prevailing 3-2. Their journey culminated in a thrilling 11-match winning streak, capped off by their dominant performance in the championship game at Polk State College. Junior outside hitter Elena White was the team's standout performer, delivering 27 kills, 8 digs, and providing crucial energy in the match.
Setters Ariana Delgado and Maria Matos also shone with 49 assists and 10 kills respectively. Head coach Ernest Rittenhouse expressed pride in the team's resilience, stating, "You weather the storm. We were able to turn the momentum around." The Hawks' success was recognized in rankings from MaxPreps, placing them at No. 13 among all classes, while DeLand finished at No. 4 in the state.
The team's growth was attributed to the influx of new players in Orange County, as their program continues to flourish.
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