HS boys volleyball: Royal Palm Beach falls in state semifinals to Orlando Freedom
SOUTHWEST RANCHES — Royal Palm Beach’s unprecedented run to the boys’ volleyball state semifinals ended Saturday with a loss to defending state champion Orlando Freedom High.
The previously unbeaten Wildcats fell in straight sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-16, at Archbishop McCarthy High. Christian Kollar-Dye led them with 15 kills — Jason Gonzalez was second with six — while Thinh Vo had a team-high 25 assists.
“We made a lot of errors, a lot of unforced errors today,” Royal Palm Beach coach Sal Ciano said. “Freedom did not and that’s why they came out on top. They played pretty, flawless volleyball for most of that match. We just didn’t get it done today.”
Royal Palm Beach (14-1) had dropped just five total sets in 14 previous matches this season, including the first in a four-set win against Park Vista in the quarterfinals Friday, but fell behind early against Freedom (29-2) on Saturday.
The senior-laden Wildcats closed within five points, 18-13, in the first set thanks to a 7-1 run, but could not creep any closer. They seized a 15-10 lead in the second, but the Patriots captured 15 of the final 19 points. The teams traded leads during a tight third set until the Patriots pulled away, courtesy of a 12-3 run.
“Too many missed serves, too many missed opportunities,” Ciano said. “They gave us free balls and we hit them out of bounds. Missed blocking assignments. Just too many things wrong.”
Said Kollar-Dye: “Freedom has a great team. They came out swinging and they didn’t make any errors. That’s impressive. That’s why they won.”
Freedom also won the 2019 state championship — last year’s championships were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite Saturday’s disappointing ending, the Wildcats will look back fondly on this season. Prior to 2021, the farthest the program had advanced was the state quarterfinals in 2003. After a shortened regular season this spring because of COVID-19, they beat Forest Hill, Dwyer and Park Vista to reach the semifinals.
“The season as a whole has been incredible,” Ciano said. “This has been a wild ride.”
“It was a little bit of a disappointment because of corona that we didn’t get a full schedule, but we’re satisfied,” Kollar-Dye said. “We are the best team in Royal Palm Beach history for boys’ volleyball, and I think we’re tied for best sports team in school history — only two teams in our entire school have ever made it to state semis. I’m super proud I could be a part of that, let alone captain of the team.”
A standout outside hitter, Kollar-Dye was the catalyst for their success on the court, leading the team in kills and blocks and finishing second in assists.
“Christian’s been amazing,” Ciano said. “He’s been the bedrock of this team this whole season, doing everything he can for us and overcoming injuries. We’re just so lucky and blessed to have him.”
Kollar-Dye, who played the entire season wearing a brace around his midsection, said he fractured the L5 vertebrae in his lower back in September. He resumed playing about five months ago.