Archbishop McCarthy Captures Boys Volleyball State Title

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Archbishop McCarthy boys' volleyball head coach Karen Frank and her team savored every minute of their state championship victory.

After defeating Miami Killian in five sets in the FHSAA Boys Volleyball State Tournament final at Golden Gate High School in Naples, players were exhausted and emotionally drained and Frank lost her voice, but it was well worth it.

On its' eighth trip to the state tournament since 2004, and after two state runner-up finishes, Archbishop McCarthy (28-2) became only the second Broward team to capture the state crown. Not since Cardinal Gibbons in 2005, has a boys team won.

Still exhausted from the weekend, the players had toyed with the idea of not going to school on Monday. Frank, still hoarse from coaching, convinced them otherwise.

"I told them Monday was not the day to take off, they needed to come to school," Frank said. "There were school announcements and everyone congratulating them. They brought our principle back a state tournament medal and presented him with the team trophy. It's a day they will remember for the rest of their lives."

The emotionally-charged final will also be remembered for one of the Mavericks' greatest comebacks after a rollercoaster match.

The Mavericks defeated Killian, 23-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-17 and 15-12. Killian ended its season at 26-4.

After the third set, Frank gathered her players and coaching staff to settle them down.

"We started to get a little emotional during the match playing on emotion," Frank said. "We had to get back to playing the way that got us there. So we took the boys behind the practice gym and got them to refocus. We got them to understand and keep themselves together and focused, instead of letting their emotions overtake them."

Luis Vazquez, despite a sore shoulder, had 54 assists and 17 digs. Michael Moreiras had 19 points, 15 kills and 13 digs. Vazquez and Moreiras have started for the Mavericks since their freshman season.

"There was something special about this team," said Frank, who built the boys 14-year program into a powerhouse. "We had talked all along about getting them to understand that everybody had a role whether they were starters or on the bench. That little bit would be the difference."

The maturity level of the core group of players who have played all four years also made a difference, Frank said. The Mavericks graduate nine of those players but return 6-foot-7 Jimmy Brooks.

Killian loses five of its six starters. The Cougars were the first team since the state tournament was sanctioned in 2003 to play five sets in each of its matches. Frank and Killian coach Clinton Reid are longtime friends.

"They played awesomely," Frank said. "We hadn't played or seen them play this season. No one knew what to expect. It was an amazing match. There was a lot of fun and excitement at this state tournament. There were teams fighting and fighting for every point."

It was the first meeting between a Broward and Dade team in the final.

"After we settled down we got back to doing what we intended on doing," Frank said. "We reminded them of what their goals were since last year's tournament. Each one of those players took an active role and brought us back to what we needed to do."

The tight-knit group had a different personality from past teams.

"They are truly a family, they looked out for each other," Frank said. "They learned all these life lessons that came along with athletics. There was a different feeling to this team all season. Every one of our teams has had their own personality but there was a special vibe when they first walked into the gym. They did so many things to help propel them."

Frank called her first state title "the pinnacle" of her distinguished high school and club coaching career.

"I know it sounds strange but I am still not totally sure it happened," Frank said. "I turned to my assistant coach and asked did we just win? It's such a different feeling to win a state title after not only building through the season but through the years. It's the greatest feeling."

Earlier in the day in the semifinals, Archbishop McCarthy defeated Orlando Lake Nona in straight sets, 26-24, 25-18 and 25-19. James Brooks came up with 11 kills and eight blocks. Vazquez had 36 assists.

In the other semifinal, Killian advanced with a five-set win over Suncoast, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 19-25, 18-16. Jason Harris had 11 kills, 19 assists and 14 digs for Killian.