Montverde, Fla. (June 15, 2026) – Following the most successful season in program history, four members of the Montverde Academy girls beach volleyball team have been recognized by the Orlando Sentinel as All-Area selections for the 2026 season.
The Eagles were represented by two pairs on the prestigious team: Sofia Amador and Bianca Baquerizo, along with Eva Bardales and Rosabella Palanti.
The honors cap off a historic season for MVA, which finished with an 18-1 overall record. The Eagles entered the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 1A State Championship match undefeated, with their lone loss of the season coming in the title contest. Along the way, MVA captured its third consecutive FHSAA Class 1A District 7 championship and fourth district title in the last five years before securing the program's first-ever regional championship and advancing to the state semifinal round. The Eagles then won their state semifinal match to earn a berth in the championship round.
Amador and Baquerizo formed one of the area's top pairs throughout the season, combining for a 13-1 record together on the sand.
Amador, the lone senior among the four All-Area selections, concluded an outstanding career as one of the most accomplished players in program history. She finished her career with a 48-18 overall record, ranking second all-time in MVA girls beach volleyball history since record keeping began in 2022. Over her career, Amador compiled a 13-4 record at No. 2, a 15-2 mark at No. 3, a 10-5 record at No. 4 and a 10-7 mark at No. 5.
During her senior season, Amador went 16-3 overall, including a 10-3 record at No. 2, a perfect 4-0 mark at No. 3 and a 2-0 record at No. 4.
Baquerizo also delivered a standout season, posting a 14-1 overall record. She finished 9-1 at No. 2, 4-0 at No. 3 and 1-0 at No. 4, helping anchor one of the Eagles' most reliable pairings throughout the year.
Bardales and Palanti were equally dominant together, finishing 8-0 as a doubles pair while helping MVA remain unbeaten throughout the regular season and postseason prior to the state championship match.
Bardales completed a flawless season with a 14-0 overall record. Her undefeated campaign included a 1-0 record at No. 1, a 5-0 mark at No. 2, a 4-0 record at No. 3 and a 4-0 record at No. 4.
Palanti also finished undefeated and etched her name into the program record book. The sophomore went 18-0 overall, setting a Montverde Academy record for the most victories in an undefeated season. She compiled a 3-0 record at No. 1, a 4-0 mark at No. 2 and an impressive 11-0 record at No. 3.
The recognition highlights the depth and talent that fueled Montverde Academy's remarkable 2026 campaign. With three of the four All-Area selections set to return next season, the future remains bright for a program that reached the state championship match and established new benchmarks for success.
About Montverde Academy:
Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 70+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information, visit us online at Montverde.org and at MVASports.com.
