Winter Haven Volleyball Shines: Historic Final Four and Star Players!

Frostproof, Florida, USA - The sun has set on the 2025 beach volleyball season, leaving us with memories of spectacular matches and historic achievements. For Winter Haven High School, this year was nothing short of remarkable as the Hawks soared to unprecedented heights in their beach volleyball journey. The culmination of their efforts led them to the final four at the Florida State Championships, marking the first time they reached this pinnacle in school history, as reported by The Ledger.

Ending the season with an impressive 19-1 record, Winter Haven has now maintained a streak of three consecutive seasons with only one loss. This year, they not only showcased their talent on the beach but also solidified their dominance with the title of district champions. Their head coach, Dylan Sechrest, earned the title of Coach of the Year after leading the team to this extraordinary success, while junior Kindyl Goff was celebrated as Player of the Year, closing her season with a stellar 20-0 record.

The Teams Who Made Waves

Winter Haven was not the only team making a splash in the county. The Lakeland Dreadnaughts, with their own impressive record of 13-3, advanced to the regional quarterfinals this year, improving from their previous seasons. Other notable teams included Lake Wales, who took home the district championship, and George Jenkins, concluding their season with a 7-6 record. Lake Gibson and Frostproof also put forth commendable efforts, each finishing with records of 8-4 and 6-2, respectively, showcasing a competitive environment across the board.

The first-team selections reflected the depth of talent within the county. Players like Rylee Tanner from Winter Haven and Lakeland’s Mya and Kirra Lindsey made the cut, alongside the likes of Rhianna Burns from George Jenkins. The recognition doesn’t stop there—honorable mentions highlight the skills of players from various schools, bringing broader attention to the growing talent in our beach volleyball scene.

Fun and Growth on the Court

This season, Winter Haven also achieved remarkable milestones in their indoor volleyball program, with three consecutive district championships since 2022 and their first-ever beach district title in 2025, alongside their indoor victories. Coach Sechrest praised not only his advanced team for their pressure handling but also the burgeoning talents, claiming that each match was a vital growth experience for the young athletes, including first-year players like Erin Miller from Lakeland.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming season, interested players have already begun their preparations, with tryouts scheduled for the early months of 2025—a chance for new faces to join the ranks of this successful program.

With district and regional competitions behind them, the Winter Haven volleyball community has every reason to celebrate their achievements. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the team’s triumph in the first-ever sanctioned beach volleyball season by the Florida High School Athletic Association is only the beginning of a bright future for these talented athletes. With the foundations solidly in place and continued support from their school and fans, the next season promises even greater excitement in the air!

As we reflect on the journey through this dynamic season, the achievements of the athletes, coaches, and supportive community set the stage for what’s to come. If one thing’s clear, it’s that there’s something to be said for hard work and dedication in the world of beach volleyball.