MIA Finishes Second in Wildcat Invite

The Marco Island Academy volleyball team made a strong showing, finishing runner-up in the gold division in the Wildcat Invite at Estero High School on Saturday, October 4. The tournament wrapped up a very busy week for the Rays.

“It was a great weekend,” said Alyssa Stolinas, Rays head coach. “I feel that this weekend’s tournament provided exactly the level of competition we needed as we approach the postseason. Every match challenged our team and pushed us to play at a higher level and stay composed under pressure."

The week’s highlight had to be when the Rays (16-6) handed Divine Savior Academy (23-1) of Doral their first setback of the year, 25-23, 25-22, in the Wildcat Invite.

“Beating Divine Savior, a Top 10 team in the state, and handing them their first loss of the season, showed our ability to compete at a higher level.”

The Rays also knocked off Fort Myers (9-12) 25-20, 25-9, Lemon Bay (15-8) 25-17, 25-17, and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (12-9) 25-19, 25-16 at the Wildcat Invite. In the finals, the Rays bowed to First Baptist Academy (22-1), 24-26, 19-25. It was their second loss to FBA in a week, as the Lions also won at the Rays' gym on Tuesday, September 30, 23-25, 15-25, 11-25. The Rays also lost on the road on Wednesday, October 1, to Seacrest (7-14), 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 19-25.

“Advancing to the finals, where we ultimately fell to FBA, just showed our ability to compete at a higher level,” Stolinas said. “I couldn’t be prouder of these girls. Playing five games in one day isn’t easy. But they gave me everything they had until the last point."

A highlight for the Rays came when senior captain Madison Stolinas passed the 2,400 assists milestone during the Wildcat Invite.

The Rays’ strong showing at the Wildcat Invite should buoy the team’s confidence as they head toward conference and state playoff action.