Horizon Rally Ends Venice's State Title Hopes in Fifth-Set Collapse
The Indians held an 11-point lead in the third set before Horizon clawed back to win 15-11 in the final frame.
By Fernando Rojas ·
Venice fell 15-11 in the fifth set on Friday, losing the 6A state semifinal to Horizon at Polk State College in Winter Haven. The defeat ends the Indians' season, leaving them one set short of their first state championship appearance in five seasons.
Venice controlled the first two sets. The Indians won the opening frame 25-21 and the second 25-16. A large group of fans from the Venice area traveled to support the team. Venice head coach Jay Lanham said his players took advantage of scouting reports from earlier meetings with Horizon. He noted that the team was clicking before Horizon made adjustments.
The momentum shifted in the third set. Horizon scored 10 of the next 11 points after a 13-13 tie. The Hawks built a 23-14 lead and won the frame 25-17. The fourth set followed a similar pattern. Horizon led 12-11 at one point before pulling away to win 25-17. Elena White, Maziah Mills, and Camilla Radaelli scored key points for Horizon in that set.
Lanham said Horizon figured out how to combat Venice's offense. He stated that the Indians struggled to stay in system and became one-dimensional. He emphasized that serving well and attacking the ball are critical components of the game.
Kinsey Judge finished with 20 kills for Venice. The rest of the team combined for 19 kills. Maya Coleman and Ana Julia Villamajor each recorded 21 digs. Judge added 17 digs, while setter Amelia Anselmi contributed five aces and 32 assists. Horizon was led by White, who recorded a game-high 26 kills. Libero Kenzie Vazquez made 45 digs.
Venice never led in the final set. The Indians trailed by one at 9-8 after a block by Charlotte Cleary. Horizon then scored four straight points to extend its lead. Radaelli hit a kill past the Venice defense at 14-11 to secure the victory for Horizon.
Lanham called the group special because of its competitive nature. He said he would have taken the opportunity to play for a state championship in a five-set match if told at the start of the season. He added that being in that position meant the team could not ask for anything better.
