State Champions!! Santa Fe High School Volleyball Claims Back-To-Back State Championship

ALACHUA ‒ For the second straight year, Santa Fe High School is the winner of the Class 4A Volleyball State Championship. The Raiders (29-2) took down Academy of the Holy Names (22-5) in four sets at Polk State College in Winter Haven to claim their second consecutive state title on Nov. 12. This is the first time Santa Fe faced the Academy of the Holy Names since Santa Fe swept the Jaguars in last year’s semifinals when they went on to beat Calvary Christian Academy for their first crown in the school’s history.

Under the direction of Coach Eric Marshall, the Santa Fe Raiders played four sets in the Championship game. Early in the first set, it was a back-and-forth battle between the teams, 8-6, until the momentum shifted in the Raiders’ favor with an 8-0 run, stretching the score to 15-6. The Jaguars attempted to close the gap but fell short 25-13.

The Jaguars stepped up in the second set and forced a Santa Fe timeout after leading 8-6. After the timeout, the Jaguars didn’t let up, stretching the score to 22-14. The Raiders never gave up and fought their way back into the game 22-19. But, in the end, the Jaguars took set two, 25-21. “The second set was lost due to errors in our playing,” said Marshall. “We gave them 10 free points. We talked about the team calming down and reminded them to take a deep breath and focus on their playing.”

The Raiders responded and dominated the court, taking an 8-2 lead early in the third set. Sparking the rally were seniors Jalyn Stout and Anisa Dorlouis. Both delivered multiple kills while the defense shut down the Jaguars, resulting in the Raiders winning the set, 25-12.

In the fourth set, Santa Fe went ahead 12-5 early on, highlighted by Miya Thomas’ seven service points and an ace. The domination continued as the Raiders pulled ahead 23-13, paced by Stouts’ five digs and five kill assists. Stout finished with 28 kills, 17 digs, 13 assists and two aces.

Thomas added 23 digs, nine assists, nine service points and two aces. Anisa Dorlouis had 18 assists, 15 digs, 12 kills and one ace. 

Senior Jalyn Stout played a pivotal role in the win, including the match-winning kill to close out the victory in style. Stout has helped lead the team in both championships with over 1,500 kills in her career at Santa Fe, as well as over 1,000 digs. Saturday’s game was the fourth time in five seasons Santa Fe has advanced to the state championship match, finishing runner-up in 2018 (6A) and 2019 (4A) before winning its first title last year.

“Winning two championships has been an incredible feeling for both me and the team, but it is also somewhat bittersweet since I am losing five great senior players this year, including Jaylen and Anisa.”

Stout is headed to college at Costal Carolina University while Dorlouis is going to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

“I have known these girls since they were 12, and I coached them in Gainesville Juniors Volleyball,” said Marshall. “For them to go out and win back-to-back state titles is a big deal. That locker room got emotional for the girls and me after the game.

“They are a special group of girls, so while it’s bittersweet, I am happy I did it with them,” said Marshall. “I have to give a shoutout to the crowd that came down to support us. They have been here all year long and for several hundred to make the trip on a Saturday afternoon is just incredible.

Marshall said that student “Rowdy Raiders” made the difference and “Coach 6” kept the crowd pumped up all year long. “We have something special here at Santa Fe, from our boosters, to fans, to an awesome administration in Principal Tim Wright and Athletic Director Michel Faulk,” said Marshall.

Santa Fe High School Athletic Director Michele Faulk added, “Sweet to repeat!” About the win Faulk said, “So sweet to see a good group of kids be successful on the court. It’s bittersweet because the senior group is special and have left a legacy that will be here forever.

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