The 2023 high school volleyball regular season filled with highlights has come and gone.
The attention of area teams and their fan bases now shifts to the postseason as programs gear up for the hopes of making a run into November. But before these win-or-go-home matches take place, we figured we’d take a quick look back at the season that was through the eyes of the people roaming the sideline every single night.
We at the PNJ asked all 14 Pensacola-area coaches five questions and granted them anonymity in the hopes of getting the most-honest responses. One key stipulation is that the coaches were not allowed to choose answers from their own team.
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While not every coach participated, here’s what we found out from our area coaches survey.
Team positioned to go on the deepest run?
Gulf Breeze (Six votes)
The Dolphins were far and away the selection here. And with good reason. After finishing the regular season with an 11-game winning streak and a 20-2 record, they enter the postseason ranked first in Region 1-6A, second in Class 6A and 12th overall in the state. Junior outside hitter Bella Satterwhite (230 kills, .338 hitting percentage, 202 digs, 31 aces) is the star of the team, but according to Jasmine King, Gulf Breeze has depth at virtually every position, which may prove to be valuable down the line as the team pushes for its first state appearance since 2011.
Anonymous coach quote on Gulf Breeze: “(The Dolphins) are the best team in Northwest Florida in my opinion and their ball control is second to no team in the state.”
Others receiving votes: Navarre (2); Pace (1); Booker T. Washington (1)
Toughest gym to play in?
Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Catholic (Two votes each)
With a 7-0 record at home and more chances to add wins in the postseason, the Dolphins make another appearance in this survey. However, they aren’t here alone, as coaches agree that Catholic, despite a down season (3-7 at home in 2023), is still a difficult place to pick up a win for various reasons.
Anonymous coach quote on Gulf Breeze: “Gulf Breeze is the toughest gym because its student section gets very loud and the team has great support from the community.”
Anonymous coach quote on Pensacola Catholic: “It has a dungeon feel to it, and the students are always rowdy.”
Anonymous coach quote on Pensacola Catholic: “Can’t see the lines.”
Others receiving votes: Navarre (1); Tate (1); Booker T. Washington (1)
Biggest surprise team this season?
Tate (Four votes)
The area coaches have taken notice of the happenings in Cantonment as the Aggies are in line for their best season since going 17-9 in 2012. Prior to a loss at Gulf Breeze in its regular season finale, Tate had won five straight matches. Senior hitters Payton Garrett (276) and Riley Robbins (227) are first and sixth in the area in kills, respectively, while senior setter Chloe Biggs (557) is second in assists.
Anonymous coach quote on Tate: “With a new coach, nobody was sure how they'd respond, but they've been competitive and strong.”
Others receiving votes: Booker T. Washington (2); Navarre (1); Pace (1)
Coach that gets the most out of its players?
Brandy Bradley, Booker T. Washington (Two votes)
The Wildcats lost half of players from a team that went 16-9 a year ago. However, with Bradley leading the way, Booker T. has overcome a 1-5 start, battled its way near .500 and is on the verge of its third-straight regional postseason appearance.
Anonymous coach quote on Bradley: “I think Coach Bradley at Washington has gotten the most out of a team this year. She lost a lot of players from last year and has still gotten her team ready to play every game and have success this season.”
Others receiving votes: David Bryant, West Florida (1); Ryan Davenport, Navarre (1); Mark Gough, Central (1); Jasmine King, Gulf Breeze (1); Dottie Powell, Tate (1)
Player that you have to game plan the most for?
Six players with one vote
This question featured the most widespread answers as no player received multiple votes. The coaches seem to agree that there are several talented players that can beat you on a nightly basis.
Anonymous coach quote: “I think a lot of teams have one really good player. It is the teams that have two, three, four, five, six good players that are hard to game plan against. One good player is easy to prepare for compared to a team that has six that can all play. There are some teams in our area that are lucky to have that this season.”
Receiving votes: Lilly Hatch, West Florida (1); Marley Manning, Pace (1); Ella Nelson, Jay (1); Sarah Quarells, Booker T. Washington (1); Riley Robbins, Tate (1); Bella Satterwhite, Gulf Breeze (1)
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. Hecan be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
