The 2025 season will begin with a two-day preseason classic at Winter Park High School amongst the three Orange County girls volleyball teams that took home state titles the previous year.
Orangewood Christian, the region runner-up, and 4A champion Bishop Moore and 3A champion Lake Highland Prepin will join the Wildcats, the Class 7A champions, for a two-day warmup.
I adore it. According to Stephanie Gibson, a 25-year Winter Park coach, “we’ve had the same four schools in our preseason classic for more than 20 years now, and it’s always fun.”
In addition to being the first week of classes, this is also the preseason week for the FHSAA autumn sports (bowling, swimming, cross country, football, and golf).
At 5 p.m., Lake Highland takes on Orangewood, and at 7 p.m., Winter Park takes on Bishop Moore. Thursday at 5 p.m., the losers meet in Winter Park, and Wednesday’s winners play each other at 7 p.m.
Each of the four coaches has an eye for the larger picture. “It’s not about winning,” Gibson stated. We intend to use this to rearrange children, try out various lineups, and determine what suits us best.
The seventh FHSAA girls volleyball title is won by Lake Highland Prep.
Since 1999, the four programs have won 21 state titles between them. With seven titles apiece, Bishop Moore and Lake Highland hold the Central Florida record. Under Gibson, Winter Park has five. Under its 35-year head coach, Diane Langmo, Orangewood won two consecutive games in 2005 and 2006.
With the return of key players like Langmo’s three daughters, as well as the addition of outstanding freshman Ellie Enger and a number of other young prospects, the Rams are among the 2A state favorites.
Enger, who is a 6-foot-2 setter and right-side hitter for Orangewood, trained in a USA Volleyball National Team Development Program camp in Ohio from July 29 to August 1 and missed some preseason games.
According to Langmo, she is a fantastic player.
Six outstanding players were brought back by Winter Park, including 6-5 junior Isabel Incinelli, who has experience developing for the national team, and powerful outside hitter Amelia Mancino. However, the Wildcats need to replace outstanding setter Tyler Peluso, who led the offensive and won the 2024 Orlando Sentinel area player of the year award, in order to capitalize on all that firepower.
Paige Lehman, who excelled defensively as a libero last season, is now a setter. She might play alongside Autumn Salmons.
As the season goes on and those girls get experience, I believe we’re going to get stronger, Gibson said. Many Central Florida teams graduated excellent setters.
For the FHSAA 7A girls volleyball state title, Winter Park defeats Plant.
Nine seniors graduated from Lake Highland. However, the Highlanders have made a huge acquisition with the signing of Isa Umpierre, a senior who performed admirably for Winter Park the previous season. After discovering that there was no spot left in Winter Park’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Umpierre, a vital member of the Winter Park Volleyball Club squad that won the AAU 17U national title this summer, said she returned to LHP for academic reasons.
Bishop Moore returned digs leader Olivia Heeken and senior setter Camila Valenzuela despite graduating its heavy hitters. Additionally, the Hornets add Kaylee Winkler, a highly respected ninth grader.
Gibson’s career record now stands at 871-238 after 36 seasons after Winter Park finished 28-1 the previous season. Langmo (749-276, 35 seasons) is second only behind Gibson on the Orlando area career victories list.
Former Bishop Moore and UCF standout player Tanya Jarvis Starrett has a 398-105 record in 17 seasons as the Hornets’ head coach. Katie Gallagher, the coach of Lake Highland, has a 135-49 record in seven seasons. Gallagher was a standout player for the Highlanders and University of Miami.
Bishop Moore wins the state championship for 4A girls’ volleyball, defeating Mater Lakes.
In other news, Christian Viera, the coach of Lake Brantley (20-6) in his second year, thinks his strong group, which features Londyn Adkins, a UCF recruit, is prepared to challenge for the 7A championship. With Kissimmee Osceola, Olympia, and West Orange all coming off successful seasons, the Patriots host a classic Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Five senior starters are back for Osceola (24-5), including heavy hitter Jordan Southall and three-time All-Area star Cate Palimi. Winter Park defeated the Kowboys 25-22, 22-25, 26-24, and 25-22 at Polk State College in a fiercely contested state quarterfinal.
DeLand (25-3) hosts University (Orange City) at 9 a.m. and Hagerty at noon in a Saturday jamboree. DeLand also fought in their playoff defeat to Winter Park.
Oviedo (22-6) hosts Dr. Phillips, The First Academy, and Trinity Prep in a Tuesday/Thursday classic after losing to 6A state runner-up in five sets in a 2024 regional match.
At the TFA match, IMG was above average. Kickoff Classic | Football in High School
Buddy Collings, the varsity content editor, can be reached by email at
