In a historic moment for DME Academy, the high school volleyball team played their very first match in program history, marking the beginning of an exciting journey. The team traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to compete in the River City Classic tournament from September 15-16, where they finished 2nd overall.
The team’s debut performance at the River City Classic was nothing short of spectacular. Comprised of 11 exceptionally talented young women hailing from diverse corners of the globe, this newly formed squad exceeded all expectations by securing a resounding victory in their very first match. This triumph not only set the tone for the tournament but also marked the beginning of a promising future.
Throughout the competition, the team demonstrated their resilience and indomitable spirit, competing in a total of four matches. Notable victories included a commanding 2-0 win against University Christian High School and a thrilling 2-1 triumph over Dixie High School in the semi-finals. The latter victory was particularly remarkable as it was against the top team from the other pool, showcasing the team’s remarkable teamwork and unwavering tenacity.
Although they faced a challenging defeat in a closely fought final match against Suwanee High School, the girls displayed unwavering determination throughout the tournament.
Ainhoa Garcia Sanchez, a 5’5″ outside hitter from Madrid, Spain, and Gabriela Carvalho, a 6’0″ opposite hitter from Ituiutaba, Brazil, were honored for their outstanding performances and were named to the all-aournament team.
Craig Lenniger, DME Academy’s Director of Volleyball, expressed his immense pride in the team’s achievements, saying, “I am incredibly proud of these young women and how hard they played this weekend. While they made mistakes young teams make, they never hung their heads and they never quit.
They kept fighting and scrapping for every point until the very end. I am looking forward to continuing to work with this group of athletes as they continue to grow and improve as both individual athletes and as a team.
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DME volleyball’s impressive debut has set the stage for a program poised to become a dominant force in the realm of high school volleyball. With the Pink Blast Girls Volleyball Tournament at DME Academy scheduled for October 6-7, the team is eager to build upon their success and continue their journey of growth and excellence.
To learn more about DME’s elite volleyball program, click here.
