Bishop Moore has used an unconventional style that has led it to a 17-0 start and a No. 1 national ranking.
Photo courtesy of Bishop Moore
is different than other teams that have been ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps.
The Hornets, 17-0, lack height in the middle. As a matter of fact, they started the season with no middle players.
Keep in mind that No. 2 Papillion LaVista-South (Papillion, Neb.) has a frontline featuring a pair of 6-foot-3 players and a 6-footer. And No. 3 Torrey Pines (San Diego) goes 6-6, 6-3 and 6-2 up front.
Amazingly, the Hornets also play without a libero.
Few teams play without a libero and few teams experience success without experienced middle blockers, but Bishop Moore has won 46 of its 54 games this season. So obviously, it's working, as Bishop Moore is the first Florida girls volleyball team to reach the top of the Xcellent 25 Rankings.
Bishop Moore has had success playing
a unique style with no libero.
Photo courtesy of Bishop Moore
Coach Tanya Jarvis says it is "purely coincidental" that when she played on back-to-back state title Hornet teams in 1999 and 2000, they didn't have a libero, either. As a player, Jarvis stood out defensively, as well as offensively.
"We do not use a libero because our middles are not true middles and are outside hitters," said Jarvis. "Keeping them in the back row utilizes their passing and defense."
Jarvis noted that as a coach, she hasn't played a team not using a libero. As uncommon as it is, not using a libero wasn't her strategy. Utilizing her middles more on the floor was the intent, but her advantage is an opponents disadvantage.
"It could throw opponents off because it is uncommon and we don't have the same person in the left back position the whole time," said Jarvis.
As head coach, Jarvis has lost just 19 times in five seasons and the Hornets have won three straight district titles. Last year, they lost in the state finals to Berkeley Prep, 3-1. The year before, they lost to Berkeley Prep, 3-2, in the semifinals after leading 2-1.
The Hornets have won 49 of their last 51 games and in going unbeaten this season, they have done so with a schedule where the opponents have a won-loss record of 188-108. Their remaining four regular season opponents have combined for 53 wins in 67 matches.
Jarvis is accustomed to success. As a four-year starter for the University of Central Florida, Jarvis played in three NCAA tournaments. In the process, she displayed her two-way ability by finishing in the Top 10 all-time in UCF history in both kills and digs.
Despite winning more than 80 percent of their match games, Jarvis said the wins this season seem harder.
"We had easier wins last season, but the fight in
Lindsey Owens and
Danielle Glinka has been contagious. They refuse to settle for anything less than fighting right to the very end."
Lindsey Owens, Bishop Moore
Photo courtesy of Bishop Moore
Owens, a 6-2 outside hitter, is headed to Virginia Tech next season and the 5-11 Glinka plans to attend Dartmouth.
The coach, who doubles as Bishop Moore's Dean, adds that junior setter
Allie Monserez (South Carolina commit) is another key along with Owens and Glinka.
"Those three have played together since they were 14 from club to high school. They've competed at the highest level and know what it is like to play at full pressure," said Jarvis. "We stay consistent regardless of the score and are really good out of system. If we can get our opponents out of system we are doing well."
Because of the lack of middle blockers, outside hitters sophomore
Brianna Civiero (6-0), junior
Claire Ferry (5-11) and
Gray Malias were moved to the middle and have more than held their own, said Jarvis.
"They have gone beyond our expectations."
Jarvis, who has been involved with the Volleyball Academy as a player or coach for 15 years, said another key to the Hornets' rise to top has been the intensity of everyday practice sessions.
"We say no wasted movement - nothing ever at half-speed," she said. "Practice has to be game-like and intense. Practice is where we win our matches. Matches are for the girls to have fun and compete."
Practices also include potential opponent strategies. "We ask our players what would you do to beat us? What is the thorn in our side so we can work on that to make us better."
The coach and team recently talked about being No. 1 in the polls, but that has not changed the season-long goal.
"We are very honored by the rankings and are grateful to be representing our school to the best of our ability," Jarvis said. "We are staying focused on improving in every practice and concentrating on one match at a time."
Another key to success is that, like Jarvis, all Bishop Moore coaches are alums.
"There is something to be said for people who have played before you. We all have the will to see the program become successful. Our hearts are here. We want our athletes to experience what we did."
Jarvis said nothing can replace the feeling of being a state champion.
"I want my players to experience that," said Jarvis, who is a volunteer coach at Rollins College in Winter Park. "They were among the best experiences of my life. That has driven me here and it's a gift you carry around with you forever."
