Orlando Christian Prep

Head Volleyball Coach Omar Soto, begins his 3rd year leading the OCP Volleyball program with his most experienced varsity team, along with competitive junior varsity and middle school teams. His vision for the program is beginning to take shape as the Lady Warriors went 2-1 during the opening week of the varsity season.

Soto, who is took on the role of the campus pastor this year for middle and high school students. also teaches religion courses. He has been building confidence and improving fundamentals of the Lady Warriors who are starting to believe in their abilities and each other.

In his own words, here is Coach Soto's preview of this upcoming season and introduction to the Lady Warriors when asked by two student reporters, and his players, Lydia Mascari and Grace Thomas.

Who are the returners from the 2020 season, how many years have they been on varsity? 

A big majority of our returning players have been in the varsity program for about 4 years.

Key returners you expect to make an impact on the team's success this year? 

It is important to highlight that of the 8 returning players, 6 of them had the opportunity to play club volleyball last year.  With this in mind, I believe that the team as a whole is in a much better position to give strong competition to our opposing schools.  Key players to highlight are as follows (in no specific order):

Junior Aalyssa Gunn (OH/MH) and sophomore Alexis Kimble (OH/RS): both of them have improved their hitting technique and power which makes them stronger players both on defense and offense on the net.

Junior Grace Thomas, junior Lydia Mascari and senior Aaliyah Gunn (Setters): The setters in volleyball are like the quarterbacks in football or the PG in basketball!  These three players not only bring a combined skill set that is critical for the development of the game, but they also bring wisdom, maturity and leadership to the team.  These aspects are essential for our success. 

Senior Brianna Cooper (Libero), senior Psymbie Bailey-Morgan (MH) and junior Carlee Cruz (OH/MH):

Who are the new, 1st year varsity players? 

We have four new players that joined our squad whom have complemented our team significantly:

Marieva De Paula Junco (Junior) came from Brazil to finish her high school education and also continue her dream to play volleyball.  We are very happy to have her with us and look forward to her contributions mostly as a DS.

Our sophomores Alana Ortiz (RS) and Kalyn McIntyre (DS) have contributed to the team with efficient passing and strong hitting power on the right side and back row of the court.  These two players will be critical components to the success of the team.

Last but not least, our new freshman, Maddi Hull (OH/RS).  Maddi is a superb, well rounded and savvy player.  She can perform efficiently in any role on the court and shows a lot of promise for this current season as well as those to come!

What will be the strengths of the team this year?  

As I mentioned before, the fact that more than half of the team had the experience of club volleyball last year should give us a vantage point on how we play this year.  Our offense has gotten stronger as well as our defense.  Our communication during a rally has improved enabling the girls to be better positioned to execute their roles.  To top it off, the enhanced experience of our setters will enable us to move the ball strategically and purposefully to accommodate the team in a good position to succeed.

What will be the areas that you'll be looking to improve upon from last year?  

Last year!  Ufff, I get chills just to think about it! LOL!  Granted, there is always room for improvement in the basics of the sport.  But one thing that I have come to learn and understand about my girls is the mental part of the game.  I am determined to help the girls have a better grasp of the mental part of what we do in and out of the court.  That's where 70% of the game is won. 

I have selected Joshua 1:9, as the key verse for the team this year because I BELIEVE God is calling the girls to be strong and courageous in strategy, technique and mindset in order to stand and perform before any opposing team all the way through districts.

What does success look like for this team? 

Success can be measured in different ways.  Some people do it based on Wins and Loses records, which I think is accurate.  However, in the case of our team success is measured by how we communicate with each other during a game, on our capacity to fix our mistakes and make a better play the next time around, how we control our emotions to avoid losing our focus on what needs to be done. 

Finally, success will be experienced on how we manage to encourage one another in good games and bad games.  When we manage to accomplish this, then I can say we have been completely successful as a team.

What are your team goals? 

One of my main goals is for us to win...especially after last year!!  But that understanding of "winning" is connected to the other aspects that I have mentioned in the previous questions.  We win when we perform with courage and strength.  We win when we walk confidently into any court knowing deep within our hearts that "we've got game"!  We win when we communicate.  We win when we fix our mistakes and not let them break us down.  We win when we manage to control our emotions when it "seems" that the game is turning against us.  This kind of winning builds us up for the other kind of "winning" that everyone else pays attention to.

Who are some of the toughest opponents you will face this season? 

Every year teams go through changes with "high" and "low" seasons depending on the type of players they have.  I believe we are entering a season of "highs" according to the players we have coming through the "pipelines"! 

With that in mind we will have our usual "nemesis" like ICS, Lake Mary Prep, Foundation Academy and Mt Dora Christian that will give us tough games.  As we look into Districts our competition will be even stronger with possible opponents like Geneva and Orangewood.

Any additional comments you'd like to add?

Psalm 126:5 "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy".  Last season was a season of tears.  This is the season of harvest accompanied with joy!  LET'S GO WARRIORS!!!