After several runs at a state championship, the Lake Worth Christian School Defenders took home their first volleyball state title on November 16, 2011.
Coach Terri Kaiser knew the season would be a challenge after losing five starters, and having lost at the state level the year before.
“We had more losses than in the past,” Kaiser said, “but we said all season long that we wanted to be the best at the end of the season. Given that, to win was even more special; everyone contributed in some way to the title.”
Kaiser said that the team operated all season long with an intense desire to play with their hearts and play as a team.
Kristen Reid was named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2A Player of the Year and also the Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel Player of the Year, setting a school record with 600 kills. Amanda King and Kristin Kintz were both named first team all county by the Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel, while three other players received all county recognition.
Early in the season, Kaiser, a member of Lake Worth (Fla.) Christian Reformed Church, recorded her 500th career-coaching win. Kaiser has coached high school volleyball for 25 years, 23 of which have been at Lake Worth.
“To reach 500 wins at Lake Worth Christian was very special,” she said.
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Melissa Holtrop
