The Montverde Academy girls volleyball team officially opened the 2026-27 athletics year on Tuesday night with a 3-1 road victory over McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland.
In a rematch of last season's FHSAA Regional Semifinal, which the Eagles also won, MVA came out strong and took the opening two sets, 25-9 and 25-17. McKeel Academy responded with a 25-21 victory in the third before the Eagles closed out the match with a convincing 25-15 win in the fourth.
Eva Bardales led the MVA attack with 10 kills while adding four aces, seven digs and four blocks. Suhmer Henriques delivered an all-around performance with six kills, four aces, 11 digs and four blocks.
Natalia Baquerizo recorded six kills, one ace and one block, while twin sister Bianca Baquerizo finished with five kills, two digs and a block.
Leticia Cordeiro directed the offense with 18 assists to go along with two aces and six digs, while Kristina Vargas added 12 assists, an ace and five digs. Rosabella Palanti helped lead the Eagles defensively and from the service line with six aces and nine digs.
The victory gives MVA a strong start to the regular season after the Eagles also picked up a pair of wins during preseason competition over DME Academy and Vero Beach High School on Saturday.
JV Also Wins
The MVA junior varsity team also earned a victory Tuesday night, defeating McKeel Academy 2-1 (24-26, 25-22, 15-5) to improve to 1-0 on the season.
The MVA varsity and junior varsity teams return to action on Thursday for the 2026 girls volleyball home opener against The First Academy. The JV game is slated for 4:30 p.m., while varsity will play at 6 p.m.
