MIA Banks on Elite Schedule Paying Dividends

Marco Island Academy volleyball coach Alyssa Stolinas has been pointing for this stretch run for four years, dating back to when this year's three seniors, Madison Stolinas, Medney Garraux, and Rylee Howard stepped onto the court as wide-eyed freshmen. She knew in order for the Rays to reach their ultimate goal - a state championship - things needed to change. Namely, the team’s strength of schedule.

In order to battle test her team, Stolinas had to convince the Paradise Coast Athletic Conference to work with her. The Rays were utterly dominating their conference opponents. Consequently, they were not being challenged by playing each conference foe twice during the regular season. Stolinas was able to negotiate a deal with the conference allowing her to reduce the team's conference schedule while beefing up their non-conference schedule. Now the Rays are at the back end of their regular season schedule, taking on local and state powers as they prepare for a state playoff run.

On Wednesday, September 17, the Rays hosted Naples High, dominating them in straight sets: 25-7, 25-7, 25-8. Interestingly, it wasn’t too long ago that a win over Naples was kind of a big deal for the Rays. Now they expect to win such matches. The day after beating Naples, the Rays hosted state power Miami Westminster Christian. The Rays were humbled, losing in straight sets: 20-25, 14-25, 18-25.

Stolinas, whose team is 10-2, views setbacks like the one to Westminster as opportunities for growth. She intentionally schedules elite opponents to build resilience and validate a highceiling identity, accepting short-term losses for long-term growth.

“We schedule those teams knowing that they are going to push us and they are going to challenge us," Stolinas said.

Earlier in September, the Rays hosted the number one team in the state, Clearwater Calvary Christian, and looked good despite losing in straight sets: 21-25, 15-25, 17-25. But the loss to Westminster Christian felt a lot worse to the Rays’ coaches, players, and supporters.

“They're both great, well-known programs,” Stolinas said of Calvary Christian and Westminster. “We were looking to really be tested. Our 2A District 9 is one of the most competitive districts around. We knew those two games were going to be tough. The outcome wasn't what we wanted. But even though there were a lot of bad moments, there were a lot of great moments too.”

Stolinas insists her squad wasn't nervous against Westminster, who is a state power despite its 8-7 record, earned against some of the state’s top programs. Stolinas has done some soul searching and thinks a confluence of distractions led to her team’s stumble against Westminster: an early 4:00 PM start time, a powderpuff football game that was scheduled on the same afternoon, and the distraction of the school’s spirit week. She said in future seasons she will look to balance school life with a demanding volleyball schedule.

"There was a very big disconnect,” she said. “Not just by one player. We were all pretty disconnected. It's something that we're going to learn from. That's all we can do. I think we just had too much going on. The girls were not focused and locked in, and it showed."

The Rays host Mason Classical on Thursday, September 25, at 6:00 PM in a PCAC game. On Tuesday, September 30, at 6:30 PM, the Rays host First Baptist Academy, considered by some to be the top team in the area. The following day at 6:30 PM, they visit Seacrest, the four-time state champions, who the Rays defeated in a pre-season game in the MIA gym in August.

Stolinas is stressing to her team to focus on their identity and to play their game regardless of the opponent.

"We need to stay true to us and play our game,” she said, “no matter who's on the other side. Nothing on our end should change. That's something that we're working through as a team."