Layne Thompson – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The Lakewood Ranch High School volleyball team is heading in to the post-season. The Lady Mustangs have a 20-5 record so far this season and are ranked first in the Class-7A, District 10.

LRHS plays their first district tournament match Oct. 22.

“I’m excited to start play-offs,” said junior Kelley Ainesworth. If they win they will proceed onto the district final on Oct. 24.

The Mustangs have close friendships with each other that help them through the season.

“It’s great being friends with everyone because then we click better on the court,” said freshman Kahlee York. They even have team dinners before every home game which helps them become closer.

Captains Ali Milbourn and Ashlyn Falahee, seniors, show exemplary leadership on and off the court which helps the team keep it together during the season.

“It’s fun to be able to lead a such a great group of people and I hope to lead them to the State Finals,” said senior Falahee.
The team hopes to make it back to the State Championships and redeem themselves from last years unfortunate loss. This year LRHS’s district includes rivals Braden River and Sarasota, making it even more of a challenge to get back to the State Final Four.

“We have to go as deep in the post-season as we did last year with a final four state appearance”, said Coach Perri Henkins.

Their most consistent players this year have been senior Falahee and junior Nicole Grant. Falahee leads the team in digs and kills from the outside hitting position as well as leading the team as a captain. Grant has had a strong year as a middle blocker leading the Mustangs in blocks and kills.

“We need to keep getting better as a team,” said Henkins, “especially since we just got back our starting setter [Milbourn].”

Milbourn, after being out from a month-long back injury, has come back by contributing 29 assists in LRHS’s win against Manatee on Thursday.

Ainsworth has been a big help on the team this year stepping in as a setter. Although usually is a libero, Ainsworth filled in for Milbourn for a majority of the season.

The team has built their confidence going into the play-offs by beating Manatee High School. The game went to four sets with scores 19-25, 25-23, 27-25, and 25-14. The Lakewood Ranch volleyball team hope to stomp the competition in play-offs and make it back to the state championship.