Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach has made history by becoming the first school west of Jacksonville to field all three volleyball sports teams: boys varsity volleyball, girls indoor volleyball, and girls beach volleyball.
- According to Head Coach Andy Faulkner, the school has recently introduced the boys varsity volleyball team, which has already shown impressive results.
The boys team began training over the summer, with some players participating in the local Sharks Volleyball Club during the fall and getting the opportunity to play in a few club tournaments to learn the game prior to the high school season. The other half of the team started playing volleyball in February and is also coached by Jason Legg.
Coach Faulkner says that the team has had to travel to Jacksonville twice so far to participate in matches, as Jacksonville and Ocala are the nearest cities with teams. The team currently boasts a 4-2 record and ranks 7th in the state of Florida for Independents.
The boys team experienced their first trip on March 10 to Tocoi Creek High School in St. Augustine, Florida. Although they lost their inaugural match to Tocoi Creek 0-2, they bounced back to secure a 2-0 victory over Global Outreach Charter Academy (GOCA) for their first win in program history.
- Their second trip to Jacksonville occurred on April 1st, when they competed in a tournament with seven teams and finished in 2nd place. Despite losing their first match to Forest High School 1-2, the team went on to defeat St. Augustine High School 2-0, Menendez High School 2-0, and Wekiva High School 2-0.
Faulkner announced that the team will be hosting their first home matches in a doubleheader on Friday, April 14, playing against St. Augustine at 5:30 pm and Bartram Trail at 7:00 pm. The team will face both schools again on Saturday, April 15, at 9 am and 11 am, before playing Forest at 1 pm. These matches will be the first boys volleyball matches west of Jacksonville.
Key contributors to the team’s success include senior Outside Hitter Aiden Waddy and Junior Middle Blocker Zach Peterson, who lead the team in kills. Freshman Leo Martinez-Vasquez has been a defensive standout, leading the team in digs.
- Senior Kyler Sharp, the team’s setter, leads in assists, while sophomore Jaicob Williams has the most aces, and Zach Peterson and Senior Ethan Brooks top the team in blocks.
As the program hopes for more teams to emerge between Tallahassee and Pensacola at the varsity level, Coach Faulkner expressed the team’s desire to compete in a district and participate in the playoffs. For now, they will continue to compete as an Independent in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
As a new program, the team has been operating on a zero budget, relying on fundraising and sponsors to cover trip expenses and officials for home matches. Those interested in supporting the team as a sponsor can reach out to Coach Faulkner at choctawvball@gmail.com.
