WINTER HAVEN — As one of the best seasons in program history hung in the balance, the members of State College of Florida’s volleyball team did everything they could.
They dove, dug and scrambled, throwing their bodies all over the floor lining the gymnasium of Polk State College, site of the FCCAA State Women’s Volleyball Championships on Saturday.
It was a valiant effort that ultimately fell short, as the Manatees lost 3-0 to Florida State College at Jacksonville in the semifinals, leaving SCF one win shy of playing for the state title.
The Manatees (35-7) lost by scores of 28-26, 25-21, 25-22.
After not losing a match during the tournament’s first two days, SCF lost twice to the Stars on Saturday, dropping the morning contest 3-1.
“I feel like we gave it our all and everyone showed up,” said sophomore hitter Aurora Newgard. “No matter how far we got down, we never gave up.
“I think our whole team did amazing.”
Unfortunately for SCF, each game followed a similar pattern — Florida State College would take a lead midway through, SCF would mount a thrilling comeback, and the Stars would always find a way to finish.
Consequently, Manatees coach Carmine Garofalo was unhappy with the result but pleased with the effort.
“Defeat is never easy to take,” he said. “But on the other hand, I’m extremely, extremely proud of every single player on this team.”
Down 24-20 in the first game, SCF scored five straight points, taking a 25-24 lead on a kill by Lacey Blackman. The two teams traded points again before an ace from Milica Krstojevic sealed it for the Stars.
SCF found itself down again, trailing 22-14. But the Manatees scored seven of the next nine points, closing to within 24-21 on a kill from Bradenton Christian grad Sarah Geraldson.
Once again, the Stars managed to stop the rally.
It was more of the same in Game 3 — down 16-11, the Manatees squared the game at 22 on a kill from Newgard. But the Stars rolled together three points in a row, sending them into the state final against powerhouse Miami Dade College.
“It always takes more physical and more emotional energy to come back and get ahead,” Garofalo said. “We’ve had to struggle with that a little bit this year, where we’ve fallen a bit behind, but we’ve always managed to come back, for the most part. But against good teams, if you put yourself in too big of a hole, by the time you dig yourself out of it, it’s a little bit too late.”
It was a special season for SCF — a year after winning just six games, the Manatees won the Suncoast Conference and finished third in the state. But after their season ended, there were plenty of moist eyes in the team huddle.
“I love them all. It was the most amazing team I’ve ever played with,” said Newgard, one of five starters who ended their SCF careers Saturday. “Everyone is so encouraging, and we love each other so much.”
Garofalo appreciated what the group did for a program that hadn’t been to a state tournament since 2005.
“I know we’ll walk out of here with our heads held high,” he said, “and feel good about what we’ve done.”
