GAINESVILLE, Fla. (November 28, 2023) – This Saturday, Dec. 2, some of the top high school volleyball players in North Central Florida will suit up one final time for “The Prep Zone All-Star Showcase” in Alachua.
The event, which features a total of four games, will take place at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center in Alachua. It includes 41 players from 23 schools as far south as Marion County, as far north as Suwannee County, as far east as Keystone Heights, and as far west as the Tri-County area (Levy, Gilchrist & Dixie County).
All four teams (North, South, East & West) will have an open practice beginning at 9 a.m.
The North will play the West and the South will play the East in the opening games at 10:30 a.m. on opposite end courts (Semifinals). The 3rd-place and championship games will be played approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first games (on opposite end courts).
All games will be a Best-of-3 format. Each athlete is guaranteed two games.
A total of 25 players participated in this year’s FHSAA playoffs, showing the strength of volleyball in the area this year.
The North team, which consists of players from Alachua, Gilchrist, Suwannee, and Columbia counties,
is coached by Eric Marshall of Santa Fe (Alachua). Marshall is assisted by his daughter, Ashton.
This past year, Marshall led the 2-time defending 4A state champion Raiders (21-9) to a regional final appearance. Mercer University signee JoseLynn Sanjurjo and teammates Jordan Czaplewski and Olivia Beavers join a team that includes Kennedy Walker and Jadyn Mosley of 1A state runner-up Branford (25-5).
The North’s opponent in the opening game is the West All-Stars, which is coached by Perry McDonald of Oak Hall School. He is assisted by Kevin Tiller of Williston.
All 11 players for the West played in the FHSAA playoffs. Their team, which includes Alachua, Dixie, and Levy County, is highlighted by Pene Moser and Ave Scorpio of Oak Hall (25-5), which advanced to this year’s 2A Final Four.
Joining them on the team are Hanna Templeton, Hailey Tharp, and Sarah Watson of 1A state semifinalist Newberry (15-15).
Williston, which lost to Newberry in the region final, is represented by Grace Dola (USF) and Morgan Geiger. The Red Devils finished 18-11 this season.
The South, which consists of five Marion County schools, will be coached by Jimmy Collins of Forest (Ocala) and assistant coach Angel Rivera.
The team features several college signees including Belleview’s Natilee Collins (Webber International University), Forest’s Kailyn Howard (Santa Fe College), and Forest’s Ava Keuntjes (Valdosta State University). Isabel Freeman (RS/OH/DS), who helped lead St. John Lutheran to a regional final appearance in Class 2A, also highlights the team.
Their opponent is the East All-Stars, who are coached by Gainesville High’s Chancie Vice and her assistant Courtney King.
P.K. Yonge’s Enrique Wiseman will also assist the team, which is led by Columbia University signee Charlotte Gravlee of Gainesville High and setter Emmy Rowland (Santa Fe College) of Buchholz. It includes players from Alachua, Clay, and Bradford counties.
Fans wanting to come and watch all four games can do so starting with the ‘open practice’ at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Legacy Park Multipurpose Center is located at 15400 Peggy Rd, Alachua, FL 32615.
Admission for the game(s) will be $10 per adult (Day Pass), $5 for students, while kids under 5 will be admitted for free. Cash and credit card will both be accepted.
Only high school coaches with FHSAA State Series or FACA Coaches card, Media, and college scouts will be granted FREE complimentary admission to the game. No coolers or outside food will be allowed.
There will be a concession stand on Game Day. Players are encouraged to bring their water bottles.
Players will also be wearing their school uniforms. There may be duplicate numbers but rosters will be provided on Game Day.
For more information regarding “The Prep Zone All-Star Showcase,” including other sports
sponsored by The Prep Zone please contact Mike Ridaught at mike@ThePrepZone.com, via cell at 352-258-8450, visit ThePrepZone.com or follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook & Instagram) at @ThePrepZone.
2023 ALL-STAR VOLLEYBALL ROSTERS
SOUTH
Isabel Freeman RS/OH/DS St. John Lutheran (Ocala)
Kendall Smith DS/OH West Port (Ocala)
Ayanna Blocker OH/DS West Port (Ocala)
Dakota Krajewski DS/S Belleview
Natilee Collins L/DS Belleview
Kensey Thomas OH/MB/MH North Marion (Citra)
Kailyn Howard OH/DS Forest (Ocala)
Ava Keuntjes S/L Forest (Ocala)
Head coach: Jimmy Collins, Forest (Ocala)
Assistant coach: Angel Rivera, Forest (Ocala)
NORTH
Kennedy Walker OH/DS Branford
Jadyn Mosley OH/DS Branford
Autumn Jones OH/RS Columbia (Lake City)
Olivia Beavers L/DS Santa Fe (Alachua)
Jordan Czaplewski OH Sr Santa Fe (Alachua)
JoseLynn Sanjurjo MB/OH Santa Fe (Alachua)
Rachel Smith OH/MB Suwannee (Live Oak)
Jurney Crim L/DS Union County (Lake Butler)
Jordan Hendricks S/RS Union County (Lake Butler)
Anna Hutto S/DS Bell
Mae Collett OH/MH Bell
Emma Revels OH/RS Lafayette (Mayo)
Head coach Eric Marshall, Santa Fe (Alachua)
Assistant coach: Ashton Marshall, Santa Fe (Alachua)
EAST
Charlotte Gravlee MB/RS GHS
Emmy Rowland S/DS Buchholz (Gainesville)
Katie White OH/DS Buchholz (Gainesville)
Delaney Robertson L Countryside Christian (Gainesville)
Shelby Adams OH/RS Countryside Christian (Gainesville)
Autumn James OH P.K. Yonge (Gainesville)
Xyiah Moore DS/OH P.K. Yonge (Gainesville)
Rylie Blankenship L Bradford (Starke)
Taylor Marquart S Keystone Heights
Abbie Roach OH/RS Keystone Heights
Head coach: Chancie Vice, Gainesville High
Assistant coaches: Courtney King (GHS) & Enrique Wiseman (P.K. Yonge)
WEST
Grace Dola OH/MH/RS Williston
Morgan Geiger L/DS Williston
Claire Horne OH/DS Chiefland
Lauren Bailey S Chiefland
Pene Moser OH Oak Hall School (Gainesville)
Ave Scorpio RS/OH Oak Hall School (Gainesville)
Jaidyn Brown OH/RS/DS Dixie County (Cross City)
Paris Williams MB/RS Dixie County (Cross City)
Hanna Templeton S/DS Newberry
Hailey Tharp OH/DS Newberry
Sarah Watson MB/OH Newberry
Head coach: Perry McDonald, Oak Hall School (Gainesville)
Assistant coach: Kevin Tiller, Williston
